Nipissing First Nation is aiming for a January 8th date to make a decision on whether it will pursue the sale and production of cannabis.
Chief Scott McLeod says that’s when the council meets to debate the issue.
In the meantime, NFN held two consultations in Garden Village and Duchesnay to consult with community members.
Residents have also been filling out an online survey at www.nfn.ca where they are asked to say if they support selling and producing cannabis at NFN.
McLeod says it’s too early to say at this time if cannabis will be pursued because not all the information is in yet.
However, he notes one area where there seems to be a consensus on using cannabis is to raise the age restriction to 21 as opposed to the province’s restriction of 19.
McLeod says the rationale behind this is for the protection of NFN’s young people.
He adds the Six Nations reserve near Brantford has opted for the 21 years of age restriction.
McLeod says NFN has kept the debate on the sale and production of cannabis as two separate issues so residents are not faced with an all-or-nothing decision.
McLeod also notes both issues are different and should be treated separately.
Residents have until 8:00am January 7th to take the online survey.
The results of the survey will form part of the report the council will consider the next day.
