By Angela Brown

First Nation communities hear how legalized marijuana could offer new business opportunity

Aug 25, 2017 | 5:12 PM

A number of area Indigenous communities had the opportunity to learn more about new business opportunities that could arise when marijuana is legalized next year.  

Around 20 people gathered for the conference at the Jackfish Lodge Conference Centre at Battlefords Provincial Park Friday, to hear about what increased demand for marijuana could mean for entrepreneurs. Some of the communities who attended the conference included those from Witchekan Lake, Thunderchild, Onion Lake, Poundmaker, Mosquito, and Saulteaux First Nations.

The conference, organized by local Saulteaux First Nation business consultant Rod Gopher, included guest speaker Kathleen Thompson, a Regina-based business consultant and social worker.

“We’re going through the legislative changes in Canada, talking about legalization, how people enter the business if they are interested in pursuing a cultivation licence and being involved in the industry,” Thompson said. “There are also a lot of other professionals that serve the industry, such as IT, security, accounting, law, research, and pharmacy.”

She pointed to stats from surveys that show 10 or 15 per cent of Canadians use cannabis medicinally, and another 25 per cent are interested in using it recreationally if it becomes legal.

Induction Ceremony this June

North Stars relish opportunity to host SJHL Hall of Fame

21m ago

ACAC bound

North Stars' Medernach talks commitment to NAIT Ooks

22h ago

Rustlers Volleyball

Crusaders' Bell excited for next chapter with Lakeland College

Apr 24, 2024

“That’s a really big market, the adult use or recreational market,” Thompson explained, saying how legalization can create many new business ventures, especially for First Nation communities.

“Indigenous communities own land, own buildings. They have young people who could be trained for exciting careers, as agricultural scientists, or analytical chemists,” Thompson said. “Our Indigenous brothers and sisters have traditional knowledge of plants and holistic healing … this is great business for Indigenous entrepreneurs.”

Gopher hopes legalization will open up new business opportunities for young First Nation people to relieve the employment problem in many Indigenous communities.

“The First Nations unemployment rate is three or four times the national [average],” Gopher said. “Obviously, we’ve got to create employment in order for [young adults] to be contributing members of society.”

As employment opportunities on reserves can be limited, Gopher believed legalization is a chance for people to seek new fields of employment. 

To help, he and Thompson are partnering to assist individuals if anyone wants to enquire about pursuing business in this new career sector.

“This whole concept has to be explained at the committee levels,” Gopher added. 

Witchekan Lake F.N. Chief Anne Thomas, who attended the conference, spoke up during the meeting saying she was interested in hearing how there will be new economic opportunities for the future.   

“It’s going to be employment, it’s going to create revenue,” she said. “We can address a lot of the lack of funding, lack of services – to address a lot of the poverty issues,” she added.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW