Have Your Voice Heard!
Join the conversation and help shape a
proposed cannabis Law for Membertou.
Chief and Council hear your concerns and are working to develop a proposed Law to support safe cannabis trade in our Community.
Community members have expressed concerns that the unregulated sale of Cannabis in residential areas have had significant impacts on the safety and quality of life in Membertou, including increasing dangers from heavy vehicular traffic in residential areas, reports of illicit substances being sold and access to cannabis and other potential illicit substances for minors. At the same time, the economic benefits of this industry are acknowledged.
The goal of this Law is to regulate and ensure:
A safe, secure supply
of cannabis
Community safety and economic opportunities are balanced
Licensed operators are protected by the Law
Why Your Feedback Matters
As we develop this Law your feedback is needed to ensure it best reflects the needs of our Community today and for the next seven generations.
HOW TO SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK
Register to Attend a Community Engagement Session
To give every participant ample opportunity to voice their opinions, we are limiting sessions to 10 community members.
Enjoy a selection of light refreshments and a
door prize at each session!
Sessions for Membertou Community Members
June 11th
6pm – 8pm
Virtual Session via Zoom
June 16th
6pm – 8pm
55 Plus Society
June 17th
6pm – 8pm
55 Plus Society
June 18th
6pm – 8pm
55 Plus Society
June 23rd
6pm – 8pm
55 Plus Society
June 24th
6pm – 8pm
55 Plus Society
June 25th
6pm – 8pm
55 Plus Society
Do these times work for you?
If not, let us know so we can schedule additional sessions.
Contact Symone Marshall
at 902-578-1743 or symonemarshall@membertou.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Right now, cannabis being sold in Membertou is unregulated, meaning there are no checks on if the supply is safe, no restrictions on where it can be sold, and no accountability for products that don’t meet safety standards.
- Community members – from youth to Elders – are concerned about the decline in safety throughout Membertou due to the operation of independent cannabis stores.
- As we develop this Law, your feedback is needed to ensure it best reflects the needs of our Community today and for the next seven generations.
- Register for a Community Engagement Session.
- Contact Symone Marshall, Communications Officer, to arrange a one-on-one session to provide your feedback.
- Email: symonemarshall@membertou.ca
- Phone: 902-578-1743.
Is this proposed Law an infringement of our
inherent and Treaty rights?
- No, the proposed Law is an act of exercising Membertou’s inherent right of self-government and authority to govern resources according to the culture, traditions, customs and laws of Membertou. The proposed Law is not about shutting down independent stores. Instead, it is intended to provide operators an opportunity to operate a legal, safe operation—free from raids and ensuring that every product meets quality standards.
What is the proposed Law?
- The Law is an act of exercising Membertou’s inherent right of self-government and authority to govern resources according to Netukulimk which is a knowledge system that supports economic well-being without jeopardizing nature.
- While the proposed Law will be updated based on Community feedback, the intent is to prioritize the safety of every Community member.
- Under the proposed Law:
- Chief and Council will regulate and control cannabis through a new licensing regime.
- Membertou will gain a distribution license to ensure the safe and efficient supply of cannabis to those with a retail license
- Community safety and economic opportunities are balanced.
Who decides on the Law?
About the Membertou Cannabis Working Group
Membertou has established the Membertou Cannabis Law Working Group (the Working Group) to conduct Community engagement for the proposed Membertou Cannabis Law. The Working Group, along with Chief and Council, share a commitment and genuine desire to hear concerns from Community members. This input from Community members is a vital piece of both the development and implementation of this Law.
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP
- Buster Matthews (Councillor)
- Mary I. Joe (Councillor)
- Paul Bradley Gould (Councillor)
- Trevor Bernard (Executive Director, Membertou)
- Melissa MacDonald (Lands Director, Membertou)
- Denise Aucoin (Club 55 Member)
Ex-Officio Members:
- Chief Terry Paul (CEO, Membertou)
- Mike McIntyre (CFO, Membertou)
- Youth Chief Mia MacDonald (Youth Chief & Council)
- Alexandria Christmas (Ebit Society)
- Janice Googoo (Membertou Chapter – Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association)
- John B. Paul (Men’s Club)
- Cheryl Knockwood (Advisor)
MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP
- Buster Matthews (Councillor)
- Mary I. Joe (Councillor)
- Paul Bradley Gould (Councillor)
- Trevor Bernard (Executive Director, Membertou)
- Melissa MacDonald (Lands Director, Membertou)
- Denise Aucoin (Club 55 Member)
- Youth Chief Mia MacDonald (Youth Chief & Council)
- Alexandria Christmas (Ebit Society)
- Janice Googoo (Membertou Chapter – Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association)
- John B. Paul (Men’s Club)
- Cheryl Knockwood (Advisor)
Ex-Officio Members:
- Chief Terry Paul (CEO, Membertou)
- Mike McIntyre (CFO, Membertou)
Contact Us
For more information or to arrange to speak with us in person, please contact Symone Marshall, Communications Officer.
Email: symonemarshall@membertou.ca
Phone: 902-578-1743