COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSION Nipissing First Nation’s Cannabis Law and Potential Amendments KL Management March 11 & 12, 2020
Overview • Background • Cannabis – A New Market • Amendments • Age limitation • Cannabis Edibles and Associated Products • Conclusions • Direction and Discussion
Background Who are we?
Background • NFN First LEGAL Cannabis Retailer • First REGULATED and LEGAL Retailer on a First Nation • First REGULATED and LEGAL Retailer in the Area • Family Owned – Community Staffed
Cannabis – A “New” Market Textile Fibers used in Eastern Aboriginal North America. By A. C. Whitford. Pp. 1-22. 1941.
Cannabis – A “New” Market
Cannabis – A “New” Market • A viable and growing market • Ontario has the largest potential when its comes to this new sector • Online sales account for 13.3% of total sales from cannabis store since legalization • 45% of Canadians live within 10 km of a cannabis store. • The Cannabis Market is here to stay
Cannabis – A “New” Market • "If there is a strong, vibrant dark market out there selling illegal drugs, people will go to that and we need to direct them to the legal market .“ – Police Chief Mike Serr, Chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Drug Advisory Committee • 29% - of cannabis users say they get all their products from a legal sources – Statistics Canada • 4 in 10 Canadians - told StatsCan they bought at least some of their cannabis from illegal sources • Why? – Cost, Location, Supply
Cannabis – A “New” Market Statistics Canada – National Cannabis Survey
Cannabis – A “New” Market Conclusion • An illegal market exists • Will continue to exist • Unless legal markets are allowed to grow and: • Provide access (to all products) • Be on the same page with Ontario (at parity) • United with the common goal of safety and regulation
NFNCL Amendments to Age (19+) Intended Pros Cons • Prevent youth (19 – 21 yr.) from • Youth (19+) can access AGCO accessing Cannabis approved OCS sales online (legal), local black market, illegal online sales right to NFN’s mailbox/home. • Unknown source, unknown contaminates (laced products) and unintended consequences. • Bolster local community black market – Niche creation • Unsafe
NFNCL Amendments to Age (19+) Intended Pros Cons • Cannabis use should occur at • Heavy use of Cannabis can effect age 21+. the development of the adolescent brain. This is also • Over consumption of Cannabis known to occur for other can effect the developing brain “heavy” use of substances including: • Alcohol • Illicit drugs • Junk foods and high sugars
NFNCL Amendments to Age (19+) Reichelt and Rank et al. 2017
NFNCL Amendments to Age (19+) Reichelt and Rank et al. 2017
NFNCL Amendments to Age (19+) Reichelt and Rank et al. 2017
NFNCL Amendments to Age (19+) Conclusion • The Adolescent brain is vulnerable to heavy use of any substance including; diet choices (high sugar and junk food, other substance abuse and even Cannabis). • While this may be the case, the age of 21+ for the NFN Cannabis Law does not safeguard NFN members , nor the general public. • If anything, it creates a niche for the illegal market , with many customers being turned away saying they will just get it of their “Dealer”. • The question arises, do we continue to create a niche market for the youth, who have access to unknown, unsafe sources of Cannabis? Do we support this and is this the environment we want to create? • Cannabis is accessible to NFN member regardless of the age 21+.
Age (19+) Scenarios and Reality On Reserve Population: 892 INAC HWY 17: 15,000 + Daily Municipality Population: 51,553 2016 Census Back to the Black Market Conclusion: - Further support for “Grey/Black Market” - Access to unsafe unregulated substances - Hindrance of NFN Economic Development and Fair Markets for Entrepreneurs
Age (19+) Scenarios and Reality
Age (19+) Scenarios and Reality
Edibles and the NFN Law
Which of the following is an Edible?
Cannabis Edibles
Cannabis Edibles • January Cannabis 2.0 • $4.3 million in sales in 1 month • $569,000 from edibles • January only • Includes sales to retailers across the province an online sales through OCS.ca • There are just over 43 Cannabis stores in Ontario “Every new product we introduce, every price drop we make and every authorized retail store that opens strengthens the legal marketplace,” says Cheri Mara, chief commercial officer at the OCS.
Conclusions • The NFN Cannabis Law restriction of age (21+) for Cannabis has “unintended” ramifications including: • The Creation of niche Grey/Black Market. • The bolstering and support of said Markets. • Puts FN entrepreneurs at a disadvantage over the open Market. • Does not support the safety of the community, but the opposite. • Exposes vulnerable adolescents to more harm, unregulated products and puts them at risk. • The NFN Cannabis Law restriction on edibles • Does not restrict edibles being obtained by NFN members. • Does not pose a safety risk more so than other substances (prescription, alcohol)
Conclusions Therefore, amendments should be made because currently;
Thank you From the KL Team Comments / Questions? March 11 & 12, 2020
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