Outsiders with no connection to her First Nation are taking advantage of a lack of enforcement of both the Splatsin community, as well as the BC government.
In an interview with StratCann, Morris says he’s seen similar problems with organized crime gaining a foothold in some First Nations communities in regard to tobacco sales, especially in eastern Canada.
The BC Community Safety Unit is tasked with enforcing the province’s cannabis regulations, especially in the retail system.
Provincial and federal governments tend to encourage regulations that work in concert with their own regimes, while some Indigenous Canadians argue they can operate outside the boundaries of those jurisdictions.
“Just as with some other issues, First Nations have said, ‘No.
When you have an issue where there is a dispute over jurisdiction, as a number of First Nations have indicated,” continues Farnworth, “it is their view that cannabis comes under their jurisdiction – this is a complex and complicated situation.
Numerous First Nations communities in BC and across Canada have taken a “sovereign” approach to manage cannabis in their community, often arguing federal and provincial laws do not apply on their land.
Many governments have taken a hands-off approach similar to BC when it comes to enforcement, for a host of reasons.
The hands-off approach in BC has led to some areas being inundated with retailers operating on First Nations land and outside of the province’s own cannabis regulations.