Cannabis businesses start up on Tsuut'ina First Nation

Stephanie Crowchild received her first shipment of cannabis oils earlier this week and the Tsuut'inaNation member is already looking to order more.

Crowchild owns Constant Creation, the first Tsuut'ina-based business to sell THC and CBD oils on the First Nation. She says a recent Indigenous pot conference on the Tsuut'ina Nation sparked her interest in starting the business.

She says she approached the CEO of Burnaby-based White Buffalo Botanicals at the November conference to ask about selling the company's cannabis oil.

Since then she says business has been good and she is already almost sold out."I sell it for $60per bottle, or twofor $100," she said.

TheTsuut'inamember says theCBDoil she sells, which does not have psychoactive components,is the most popular, especially amongmembers who are suffering from cancer and other illnesses.

"It is important to learn about cannabis in relation to health benefits and treatment of illnesses,"Crowchildsaid.

She also thinks cannabisis a good way to reduce the use of prescription opioids, which are "much more harmful," adding she has lost "loved ones" to opioid addiction.

Crowchild does not operate a standalone shop, instead she "operates as a mobile service," she says, adding it's legal for her to sell cannabis oils without a provincial license because she is making the sales on First Nation land.

"It's legal for me because I am Tsuut'ina, and we are on Crown land," she said.

Tsuut'ina Chief Lee Crowchild saysthat for now she is right and that, "it isn't illegal right at the moment."

Crowchild says band officials arestill working out the details around rules for selling and producingcannabis on First Nationland.

There is currently a cannabispolicy in place on the nation, which banssmoking in public,except designated areas.

Consumption is allowed in private residences.

Tsuut'inaNation helda referendum in Auguston how it would deal with cannabis legalization on First Nation land. Three questions were asked regarding the sale and production of cannabis on the reserve, with 91 per centof nation members voted in favour of cannabis cultivation, production and saleson the reserve.

The Nation is currently in the process of obtaining a license from the federal government to produce cannabis. Tsuut'ina Coun. Brent Dodginghorseis part of the team heading up that process.

He says the nation is also in the process of negotiating with several potential partners for when the nation receives the green light to begin producing cannabis commercially.

Dodginghorsesays a big part of those negotiations revolve around the nation maintainingownership of any potential operations.

"Council felt that is was important for the nation should own the licenses 100 per cent," said Dodginghorse.

He adds the nation is currently looking at sites on landthat could serve as potential locationsfor any future cannabis production facilities.

"We have three locations picked, obviously it has to go back to council for approval on where these locations are," he said.

Dodginghorsesays that access to power and water are key considerations when choosing a site and itis difficult to say when any of theplans could become reality.

For his part, Chief Crowchildsays he also doesn't know when things will come together but adds a deal could move forward at any time.

"Thiswhole cannabis thing could happen just like that," he said.

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