Tribally-Licensed Cannabis Market Launches April 15th
Apr 11, 2022
AKWESASNE — The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Cannabis Control Board announced the launching of the first regulated adult use cannabis market within New York State. Beginning on Onerahtókha/April 15, 2022; the following Akwesasne businesses will offer cannabis and cannabis products for sale in compliance with the Tribe’s Adult Use Cannabis Ordinance:
RETAIL:
- Budders Cannabis Store, located at 508 State Route 37
- King Canna, located at 8 Raquette Point Road
- Weedway, located at 935 State Route 37
CULTIVATION:
- Bank Side Flowering Company LLC
- Lefty’s Cultivation
“For the first time in New York State, adults will be able to legally purchase cannabis products from a tribally licensed dispensary,” shared Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance. Chief LaFrance also noted, “To make this happen, we have been working in consultation with tribal members to develop regulations that support the success of tribally licensed cannabis operations, but more importantly to ensure that the community benefits from the fees that fund tribal programs and services that impacts all community members.”
Tribal licensing fees collected from licensed cannabis operations will help keep community members employed and fund a wide range of essential community services -- from our youth to our elders. Licensing fees will help support educational scholarships, public safety, road maintenance, elder’s assistance, health care, and community organizations – especially those entities that have experienced a significant budget reduction due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Under New York State Law; adults 21 years of age and older may transport, possess, and use up to 3 ounces of cannabis and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis. New York State however, has not yet authorized any retail cannabis outlets. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe was the first in New York to establish a tribally-licensed, legal framework for adult use cannabis sales, as well as the first in the United States to regulate and license tribal member-owned businesses.
“In developing the Tribe’s Adult Use Cannabis Ordinance, we listened to tribal members who stressed the need to not only diversify the community’s economy and to provide much-needed employment, but to also ensure that cannabis products have been proven safe to sell,” shared Tribal Chief Beverly Cook. She added, “By shopping at tribally licensed cannabis outlets, consumers can feel confident knowing they are purchasing from a safely regulated marketplace.”
“We are confident that the hard work of the tribally licensed cannabis business owners will result in loyal customers from beyond Akwesasne,” stated Tribal Chief Michael Conners. Chief Conners continued, “We know that it took a while, but we are confident that our system is designed to provide quality product, in a regulated system, with Compliance oversight and a qualified Board of Managers to see that all regulations are followed for the safety of our community and consumers.”
For more information, please contact the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Cannabis Control Board at (518) 358-2272 ext. 2167 or by email at ccb@srmt-nsn.gov.
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The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.