SRMT Issues Cease and Desist Orders on Unlicensed, Unregulated Marijuana Dispensaries
Apr 23, 2021
AKWESASNE — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has been made aware of unlicensed and unregulated marijuana dispensaries operating under the Tribe’s jurisdiction. Pursuant to Tribal Council Resolution 2021-71, these operations have been issued Cease and Desist Orders until an Adult Use Marijuana Ordinance has been enacted and tribal licenses have been issued.
In accordance with the tribal referendum approved by membership on December 14, 2019; the Tribe is currently consulting with tribal members on the development of an Adult Use Marijuana Ordinance. The first of three consultation sessions on the regulation’s development was conducted on April 22nd and provided valued feedback and input, with approximately 54 tribal members participating in the first engagement meeting.
Two more consultation sessions will be held on April 29th and May 6th. To participate in these engagement meetings, members can access the meeting link located on the Tribal Members Portal on the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s website at www.srmt-nsn.gov. A full copy of the draft ordinance is also located on the portal, as well as a recording of the first consultation session.
Recommendations and other input received from tribal members during the consultation sessions will be incorporated into the final version of the Adult Use Marijuana Ordinance. Once enacted by TCR, it will help regulate the cultivation, processing, and sale of recreational marijuana under tribal jurisdiction. It will entail licensing fees that will be used to support community programs and other tribal services that benefit our community at large.
Until such time that the Adult Use Marijuana Ordinance is enacted, any person(s) that engages in the sale or any commercial activity involving recreational marijuana prior to obtaining a license will be in violation of tribal law and subject to enforcement action. We ask individuals to refrain from purchasing any goods from these unregulated establishments for their own safety.
As a result, we ask for their cooperation and compliance with the Cease and Desist Orders, so we can continue working together with membership to develop an industry that will help diversify our local economy, provide employment, and generate needed revenue for community programs and services that we all enjoy.
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk People.