INDIGENOUS CANNABIS & HEMP MAGAZINE
GROWTH & PROSPERITY
Seven Leaf is Leading the Way See story page 4
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INAUGURAL ISSUE GETTING THROUGH THE WEEDS ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1 – SPECIAL ONLINE LAUNCH Winter 2018-19
The First Ever Indigenous Cannabis & Hemp Magazine that takes a deeper look at the rapidly changing landscape of the Hemp and Cannabis Industry and how Indigenous Peoples best and brightest have emerged to become North American’s industry leaders.
RE TO GIS DA TER Y!
Wade McAdam
Dr. Shelly Turner
Grant McLeod
Sara Mainville
Kikino Métis settlement, Founder CanWest Hemp Corp
Pimicikamak FN, Addiction & Harm Reduction Specialist
Métis, Founder Seven Oaks Cannabis
Couchiching FN, Partner OKT Law
Cheryl Shuman
Dr. Neil McKinney
Shawnee Blue Creek, Cannabis Advocate, Entrepreneur
Professor of Naturopathic Oncology
February 19 - 21, 2019 Alex Abellan Founder of NAC Clinics Pioneer in Safe Dispensing of Cannabis
OTTAWA Westin, Ottawa
Allan Clarke Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Former Dir.Gen. Economic Research & Policy AED
TOOLKITS & KNOWLEDGE FOR A BETTER FUTURE: Cannabis & Hemp Cultivation / Processing, Harm Reduction Models, Lab Build-outs, Retail & Medical Clinics, Maximizing Investments, Risk Management and more! *Speakers and sessions subject to change.
CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES - AND REGISTER TODAY TO ATTEND!
www.NICHC.ca
Growth and Prosperity u Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Magazine
A Message From the Publisher Welcome to the first issue of Growth and Prosperity: Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp. We hope you enjoy reading this online edition, which will be followed by a more robust hard copy to be available at the 2nd National Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Conference (NICHC), February 19-21, 2019 at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa. While the NICHC is less than two months away, much work is being done behind the scenes as a result of the first conference, held November 18-22 at the Grey Eagle Resort and Hotel in Tsuut’ina Nation outside Calgary. The following pages will highlight some of the guest speakers and panelists who spoke at that important conference. This issue will also be a preview for the Ottawa conference – specifically addressing the challenges and opportunities being presented to Indigenous Peoples and communities seeking to secure their place in this exciting industry. Since cannabis was legalized on October 17, both Canadians and Indigenous Peoples are still coming to terms with all the impacts – legal, social, safety, health, and economic. With the lifting of Prohibition on the sale and consumption of cannabis, we are witnessing an important unfolding of a brand new economy. This ‘green’ economy has the real potential of generating billions of dollars for everyone – entrepreneurs, communities, and all levels of governments. Where do First Nations fit into this new economy? Is it simply a matter of jurisdiction? Can our communities control the licensing, production, and sale of cannabis and hemp? Will our community members benefit from long-term employment in the cannabis industry? How will we ensure that we protect our unique and vital cultures from profit through appropriation? Will they feel confident that the products they produce and sell are safe for family and friends to consume? At the end of the day, the federal and provincial governments will
have to find a constructive and accommodating path for First Nation participation in this industry. One example of a workable path is Seven Leaf Cannabis in the Mohawk Nation of Akwesasne. Seven Leaf spent almost four years consulting with both leadership and community members. Not only does it have community approval, but Seven Leaf is the only First Nation owned licensed producer of medical cannabis with Health Canada approval; paving the way forward as an important indigenous leader in an industry that nearly passed our communities by. Other communities -- from Tsuut’ina in Alberta to Tyendinaga in Ontario – are exercising their Treaty Rights and jurisdiction when it comes to the production and sales of cannabis. All the First Nation Chiefs in Nova Scotia have already told their provincial government that they intend to exercise their own jurisdiction on cannabis sales by October, 2019. In the meantime, both Health Canada and Indigenous Services Canada admit that much more should have been done to prepare Indigenous Peoples for the legalization of cannabis. In fact, the federal government is still very committed to including our Peoples in all aspects – legal, social, safety, health and economic. Mitigating that shortfall is a critical undertaking that requires broad collaboration – why; because First Nations across the country are poised and ready to occupy the field on a number of fronts in the cannabis and hemp value chain. Much work needs to be done in the months to come. You will see some of what’s begun in the pages of this magazine. I look forward to seeing many of you at the NICHC in Ottawa! Miigwetch, - Isadore Day, Wiindawtegowinini
Growth and Prosperity: Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Magazine is published quarterly. Winter 2018-19 Edition No. 1 Publisher: Isadore Day, chiefday@bimaadzwin.ca Content: Bryan Hendry, Isadore Day
Editor: Bryan Hendry, bhendry@bimaadzwin.ca 613-863-1764 Advertising: Please contact Bryan Hendry
ISSN: Pending No part of this publication may be used without the written permission of the publisher. Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings, and omissions. If, however, an error comes to your attention, please accept our sincere apologies, and contact the editor.
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The following story is an excerpt from the November 20, 2018 presentation by Lorraine White at the National Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Conference: These are exciting but confusing times and we sincerely believe that this conference represents the first of many significant platforms for First Nations as we continue to define our growing presence and leadership roles in the cannabis and hemp industries. As I mentioned, Seven Leaf has the honor of being the “First� First Nation owned and operated Licensed Producer located on reserve, and specifically on the Akwesasne Mohawk territory. Our executive team is entirely comprised of Akwesasronon. We are all Mohawk nation members whose roots run deeply in the Akwesasne community. This is our home, and as such, we are invested in our land, our people, our collective prosperity and the future of our children. These are the commitments of our founding partners and our employees and, because of who we are and what we seek to achieve, these are also the commitments of Seven Leaf as a company. Although Seven Leaf began as an idea and a conversation in 2013, we didn’t professionally begin our journey until 2014 when we first submitted our formal application to Health Canada to grow and sell medical cannabis. Since that time, we have undergone and completed many stages including passing stringent
security screenings of key executives and personnel as well as the receipt of approval for our business plan which included the re-purposing of a former water bottling plant in Akwesasne. Fast forward almost five years, I am proud to say that we have our first plants growing in our facility with the hope that we will have product available for retail sale within the first quarter of 2019. Not too bad for a group of motivated Mohawks with a big idea! Akwesasne is home to a strong, vibrant and proud Kanienkehaka or Mohawk community.
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Growth and Prosperity u Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Magazine We are geographically unique with not only the US/Canadian border bisecting and running through our Territory, but also the borders of Quebec and Ontario on the northern portion or “Canadian” side of Akwesasne and New York State on the southern portion of our community. Within the so called “Canadian” side of Akwesasne, there are three distinct districts which include Kawehno:ke (Cornwall Island, Ontario), Kana:takon (St. Regis, Quebec) and Tsi Snaihne (Snye, Quebec). Seven Leaf is located on Kawehno:ke or Cornwall Island, Ontario. We have several local government bodies including the federally recognized Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe as well as our traditional Councils. Our lands may be complicated, but our identity is not. We are one people and we are one community. As I mentioned earlier, our story first began in 2013. Our group began watching the developments in Ottawa with
medical cannabis. We knew the laws were changing and saw that a new federal licensing system for growing medical cannabis was also the beginning of a brand new industry. We recognized early on that this was an opportunity and an industry that was going to happen with or without our participation. We looked at our situation here in Akwesasne where we have high rates of illness. Initially, it began as a proposed solution to many of our health-related issues and significant illnesses within the community. We have many people who want to work but we need to attract businesses that won’t fade away. At the same time, we are looking for “quality” jobs – ones where our college and university graduates have something to come home for, and to stay for. I said “Why not us?” With the approval of our license to grow and sell cannabis, our young people with education will have the opportunity to come back to the community. Seven Leaf can offer steady employment for a range of work that makes it attractive for our high school and college graduates. We expect to have up to 75 new jobs over the next year – from growers to managers and everything in between. For Seven Leaf, we are talking about careers – not just jobs. Opportunities range from administrators, human resource professionals, cultivators, fulfillment and security personnel, and so on. Imagine how these will keep our young, educated people closer to home. Seven Leaf has passed all stages of approval by Health Canada to become a Licensed Producer in September of this year.
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You know, I hate to just call them “jobs”. When you join Seven Leaf, we want to offer you a career – a life time of learning, growth and advancement with us. One reason we are so excited about creating Seven Leaf is the fact that we can offer real futures for our young people and community members with long term prospects and security. With our construction workers and our Phase One hires in place for the cannabis operation, 98% of the people at Seven Leaf are Mohawk. What is so moving for us and for the community is that many of our new employees are college and university educated – and now they have fulfilling work and incomes that match their education. While completing construction of the final phases of our building, and as our harvesting gets underway, we will add more and more people to the payroll. Everything from harvesting to quality control to packaging, sales, marketing and delivery will expand and develop very quickly. Seven Leaf is on the cutting edge of this leading industry for First Nations cannabis cultivation and production. We are committed to training our employees so that they become experts in this industry. We have begun discussions with several colleges and universities regarding professional level training for our staff and training. Seven Leaf wants to work with you so that you and your community can take part in this new prosperity with long term, quality jobs and opportunities. We wish to offer training and internships on a First Nations to First Nations basis. Seven Leaf is located in a traditional, regulated community, and we are training in the Canadian legal and regulatory environment. As a company, we put security, processes, quality control and living under strict rules into a First Nations context and reality. We have built a respectful environment that recognizes plants as medicine and the role they play in our culture.
Our business model is to work in Indian Country. We are looking for strategic partnerships in First Nations territories and communities for the sale of our special and high-quality brands Seven Leaf plans to become a training ground for other First Nations. Many First Nations have expressed an interest in being involved in this industry. We will participate in regulated markets until such time as there is a federally recognized First Nations system in place. Seven Leaf will only participate in legal and regulated markets. Our company has worked very closely with our Council to listen, educate and adapt where it was needed. One of the largest efforts, now that we are licensed, is to work with our Council to make sure that we have regulations in place that are the same or better than what Health Canada has implemented. Seven Leaf wants to contribute so that they see all First Nations being involved in this industry, if they want to be.” For more information, visit www.sevenleaf.ca or call 613-932-2626
Photo Information The President of Seven Leaf is Lewis Mitchell, a former Chief of Police for Akwesasne. Having grown up around the herbal medicine traditions of the Mohawk Territory of Akwesasne, Lewis has passionate views on the healing benefits of cannabis. Chief Compliance Officer Lorraine M. White was the youngest female ever elected to serve as a Chief of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. She is also a renowned attorney. Akwesasne is located on the St. Lawrence River and is bordered by the Ontario, Quebec, and New York State
borders. In 2016, Akwesasne became the co-owner of the Port of Cornwall Harbour. These two members of the Seven Leaf cultivation team have been busy preparing and monitoring the first indoor crop of medicinal cannabis. The previous page has an aerial view of the Seven Leaf facility, an 84,000 square foot former water bottling factory on Cornwall Island in Akwesasne. When fully operational, as many as 100 locals will be employed.
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Growth and Prosperity u Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Magazine
ADAMS LAKE: Leading the Way in Hemp Hemp has the potential to be a multi-billion dollar crop in Canada and can be used as a source of food, fuel, clothing, and housing. One acre of industrial hemp can also 22 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide, helping to prevent climate change. This was the main message from Steven Teed, who presented at the NICHC. Mr. Teed is the CEO of Green Future Industries and a Councillor for the Adams Lake Indian Band, located in the southern central interior of British Columbia – ideal farmland for growing hemp. The following is an excerpt from his presentation: Hemp is a strong plentiful crop that can be made into many different biodegradable products such as paper and plastic items and can help reduce and replace the number of products in our landfills that will never decompose. Other important items hemp produces are construction materials, clothing, food and even Biofuel. It is in our culture to use every part of the plant and that is what we are doing, that is why we are developing products from all parts of the plant. Our aim is to provide quality organic products to reduce our environmental impact, while also building green organic hemp homes in low income communities. We started this company based on doing things differently, including doing things that follow true to our values, and taking care of our communities and environment is first and foremost. We are witnesses to the lengths in which corporations will go to for more resources to maintain their profits. We believe hemp can transition many products from being unsustainable and unrecyclable to materials that are biodegradable and
improve our global environment, one immediate area we want to improve is our landfills. We believe hemp is a crop that can be integrated into many industries that have negative environmental impacts. We want to help transition them into being sustainable while still providing quality products. Being Aboriginal owned, we honour tradition and have a strong connection to our Mother Earth - we only have one mother and it is time to start treating her with some more respect, and that starts with education, conversation, integration. We are passionate about growing and building a future based around Aboriginal values, while promoting honest industries that incorporate and develop new technology with a greener future in mind.
Steven Teed is the CEO of Green Future Technologies and a Councillor with the Adams Lake Indian Band in British Columbia.
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Joe Norton
Clarence Louie
Indigenous Peoples Stake More Claim in the Cannabis & Hemp Industry Treaty No.7 (Calgary, AB.) November 22, 2018 – The first ever National Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Conference at Tsuut’ina Nation attracted approximately 500 participants and resulted in a common goal of working together to stake claim in the growing need of Cannabis and Hemp.
The common themes that emerged from the three-day conference and trade show was, Indigenous Peoples must work together with both government and industry in order to secure a considerable share in Canada’s newest multi-billion dollar industry.
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Growth and Prosperity u Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Magazine
“The issue of jurisdiction is the overwhelming priority coming out of this conference. Asserting our jurisdiction in the cannabis and hemp industry must be respected by mainstream industry and at all levels of government,” said Chief Isadore Day, who chaired the conference.
Isadore Day and Adam Beach Health Canada Booth
“Economic sovereignty, health and safety, and community risk and impacts are the main themes we heard. Most importantly, we heard there is a growing interest in establishing a national network of Indigenous producers and retailers in order to compete with the larger multi-billion dollar cannabis companies.”
Representatives from Health Canada and Indigenous Affairs were also in attendance and presented at the conference. The federal government seems willing to support First Nations participation in the industry, while at the same time respecting jurisdiction.
“Elders have long talked about cannabis being the medicine that will help. We must maintain our symbiotic relationship that this medicinal plant offers and all other Indigenous medicines. There has to be balance as we move forward. If the only driver is economic development then it becomes the drug of addiction and the people will be foreign to the help that this medicine provides. We must move forward with our fundamental beliefs in mind so our Peoples and others will benefit from the healing aspects of this medicinal plant,” said Chief Lee Crowchild, of the Tsuut’ina Nation. 9 L
After fielding phone calls from a number of large cannabis companies over the last several years, Chief Clarence Louie said that the Osoyoos Indian Band has applied for a federal license and plans to open a $100 million 65,000 square metre medical cannabis production facility. He joked that one of the outdoor grow operations will be situated beside the prison. “Chiefs and councils must focus on any ways and means of reducing the unemployment rates of our Peoples.” Manny Jules, of the First Nation Taxation Commission, said the federal government has yet to properly consult First Nations on the cannabis tax framework and regulatory control. He pointed out that Chief Isadore Day was one of the few national leaders to question the lack of government consultation with First Nations. “This will ultimately be a multibillion-dollar industry, so we want to have First Nations as a fundamental part of that in a legitimate way. We don’t want to create grey markets.” Kahnawake Grand Chief Joe Norton said his community has passed a law and is forming a Cannabis Control Board before allowing any dispensaries to open. In September, the community entered into a multimillion dollar agreement with Canopy Growth to build a greenhouse and packaging plant. Grand Chief Norton said the primary concern is the is the health and safety of Kahnawake residents. “Our board, our people, to ensure the proper policies are being implemented.” Dr. Shelley Turner, medical director of First Farmacy Medical in Thunder Bay, has issued over 4,000 prescriptions for medicinal cannabis over the past five years. She specializes in trauma recovery in a city that is one of the most racist and drug addicted in Canada. Her oldest patient is 93-years-old. Dr. Turner is Cree from Pimicikamak First Nation (Cross Lake) Manitoba, and is also an assistant professor at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. “No one has ever overdosed from cannabis.”
Sara Mainville, a lawyer with OKT Law in Toronto, and a former Chief of Couchiching First Nation, has quickly became one of the authorities on involving First Nations in the cannabis industry. She is currently working with at least eleven communities. She said that First Nations have a right to participate through Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). “We all know that federal consultation with First Nations has been lacking. Look what happened with the Trans Mountain Pipeline.” Chief Isadore Day speaks to Adam Beach of Indigenous Canadian Medical Dispensaries (IcMD. ca), whose goal is to is to put reliable and accessible healthcare in the hands of Indigenous people. Mr. Beach said that the over-prescription of drugs has resulted in devastating effects upon Indigenous peoples. “By offering a natural solution, medicinal cannabis, for many common conditions, we believe we will be more able to return to our traditional roots.” Todd Cain, Director General of Cannabis Licensing and Medical Access at Health Canada, said that the federal government did not do enough to engage Indigenous peoples on both the health and economic impacts in the lead up to legalization of cannabis on October 17th. To date, only eight First Nation communities have applied for a cannabis production license. “We have visited between 80 to 90 communities and are still engaging. It’s clear that we haven’t done enough.” Dr. Evan Adams is the Chief Medical Officer for the BC First Nation Health Authority. He said that the FNHA supports a public health approach to cannabis access and use while recognizing that each First Nation community will have its own perspectives on cannabis. The FNHA has just launched a public awareness campaign that stresses best practices and traditional teachings. “It is a wellness-centered campaign built on Indigenous values of personal and family responsibility, healthy relationships, and a culture of choices.”
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Growth and Prosperity u Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Magazine
Dr. Evan Adams
“The legalization of cannabis has created an enormous opportunity for Indigenous Peoples. The challenge we face now is that time is running out. Our Peoples need reassurance that we can still be major contributors to this new economy so everyone can benefit. We are eager to continue our focus and momentum that has been created by our communities, cannabis experts and business developers,” concluded Chief Day.
Sara Mainville
In order to follow-up on the pressing issues and themes that emerged during this past week, the second National Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Conference will be held in Ottawa, Ontario on February 19-21, 2019. www.nichc.ca
Todd Cain
Manny Jules
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Dr. Shelley Turner
LEGALIZING AND STRICTLY REGULATING CANNABIS
The Cannabis Act sets out a system for legalizing, strictly regulating and restricting access to cannabis
FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS TO PROTECT YOUTH MINIMUM AGE OF 18 TO PURCHASE
PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
REQUIRING CHILD RESISTANT PACKAGING AND WARNING LABELS
PROHIBITIONS
TWO NEW OFFENCES
• Products appealing to youth • Packaging or labelling cannabis in a manner that makes it appealing to youth • Selling cannabis through a self-service display or vending machine • Promoting cannabis, except in narrow circumstances where the promotion could not be seen by a young person • Penalties: Up to $5 million fine or 3 years in jail
• Giving or selling to youth • Using a youth to commit a cannabis-related offence • Penalties: Up to 14 years in jail
I’M AN ADULT. WHAT AM I ALLOWED TO DO UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM?
$
[ ALLOWED ]
[ PROHIBITED ]
POSSESSION UP TO THE LIMIT • Up to 30 grams in public of licit dried cannabis and equivalent in non-dried • Sharing up to 30 grams among adults
DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED BY A DRUG (INCLUDING CANNABIS)
PURCHASE AND CONSUMPTION • From a licensed retailer • Minimum age of 18 (or higher if set by province/territory) • Up to possession limit (30 grams) • Initially available: dried and fresh cannabis, cannabis oil • Other products (e.g. edibles) available later HOME CULTIVATION • Up to 4 plants per residence • From legal seeds/seedlings • Local oversight (e.g. registration or permit) • Make cannabis-containing products at home, such as food and drink • No use of dangerous organic solvents MEDICAL • Access to cannabis for medical purposes will be maintained • Authorization of health care professional • Home or designated production • Direct order from licensed producer with secure delivery through mail or by courier
DRIVING WITHIN TWO HOURS OF HAVING AN ILLEGAL LEVEL OF DRUGS IN BLOOD (NEW) * • Penalties can range from $1,000 to life imprisonment depending on the level of drugs in blood and whether someone was hurt or killed ILLEGAL DISTRIBUTION OR SALE • Tickets for small amounts • Up to 14 years in jail POSSESSION OVER THE LIMIT • Tickets for small amounts • Up to 5 years less a day in jail GIVING OR SELLING TO YOUTH (NEW) • Up to 14 years in jail USING A YOUTH TO COMMIT A CANNABIS-RELATED OFFENCE (NEW) • Up to 14 years in jail TAKING CANNABIS ACROSS INTERNATIONAL BORDERS • Up to 14 years in jail PRODUCTION OF CANNABIS BEYOND HOME CULTIVATION LIMITS OR WITH DANGEROUS ORGANIC SOLVENTS • Tickets for small amounts • Up to 14 years in jail * In impaired driving legislation
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Growth and Prosperity u Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Magazine
WIISAG Announces Safe, Effective, and Affordable Cannabis Health Program for First Nation and Inuit Patients
(November 26, 2018, Toronto, ON) Wiisag Corporation, a First Nation cannabis company headquartered at Neyaashiinigmiing, ON, is pleased to announce that it will offer personal health services designed and delivered by Indigenous Nurses. These services are for those First Nation and Inuit patients who either have an existing authorization to use medicinal cannabis or want to determine if cannabis is potentially beneficial to their personal health. “We are welcoming patients into the Wiisag family. We strongly believe that it is necessary for health professionals to not just authorize access to cannabis but, to guide patients throughout their journey until we all know more about the impacts of cannabis,” said Juanita Rickard, Registered Nurse and Director of Wiisag’s Health Services Bureau. “Cannabis products are very complicated and impact every person differently, depending on a whole range of factors, such as pre-existing medicines and current health. Our Health Services team is made up of Indigenous Nurses who will monitor each patient’s personal health journey with cannabis, and study how cannabis is impacting their health and well-being and recommend appropriate adjustments in products.” Wiisag is in discussions with the Federal government and Licensed Producers to make the cannabis
products our Wiisag Nurses deem appropriate for our patients affordable. Wiisag has recommended that the Government pay for cannabis only for patients who also fully participate in the Health Services Program until more analysis is available concerning the benefits of cannabis as part of a holistic health program. “Wiisag is committed to improving the health of our First Nation/Inuit brothers and sisters across the country. Wiisag’s vision of health excellence is evidenced in our investment in carefully selected health service professionals and in our partnerships with academic institutions and industry players,” said Isadore Day, Government and Community Relations. “Sadly, we know that First Nations and Inuit people in Canada are on average in poorer health and have shorter life expectancies than other Canadians. We also know that First Nations and Inuit people in Canada suffer disproportionately from such disorders as chronic pain, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, sleep disorders, nausea and opioid addiction to name a few. The proper use of cannabis, supervised by indigenous nurses may be a real improvement for our people’s health Wiisag has supply and cooperation agreements with select Licensed Producers. Wiisag health services professionals have identified select cannabis products from these LPs that they believe will potentially be
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beneficial to Wiisag patients. These LPs have sublicense Wiisag’s brand and will supply Wiisag’s authorized patients. “We want to provide comfort and certainty to our patients first and then the system. Our nurses are working with a select few Licensed Producers to choose appropriate strains and thc/ cbd combinations which will be offered as Wiisag brand cannabis products. We are well on the road to safe and effective use of cannabis with our nurse’s program and now we are focused on ensuring that cannabis products are affordable for our First Nations and Inuk patients. We are working on a number of strategies to achieve this critical objective,” said Jake Linklater, Founder and Executive Chairman.
Wiisag is a First Nations integrated cannabis business active in all elements of the cannabis business; Cultivation (indoor and outdoor), product development,
processing and packaging. In addition to these activities Wiisag is investing in a unique Cannabis Health Services program based on consultations with First Nations leaders and communities. Wiisag intends to compete globally as the authentic First Nation cannabis company and invites all First Nations leaders to reach out for further information. To further advance this endeavour, Joel Strickland, Founder and Chief Executive Officer said, “We intend to create a competitive, authentic, indigenous global brand to compete in the cannabis industry by making it attractive for First Nations communities and indigenous entrepreneurs to join Wiisag’s national network. We have listened carefully to Chiefs, Councilors, Elders, leaders and communities’ concerns about (and hopes for) cannabis. We then went to the indigenous health care community to understand how they could be effective in terms of facilitating a safe, and effective experience with cannabis for suitable patients.” Interested patients, whether you already have an existing authorization to use medicinal cannabis or not are invited to pre-register with Wiisag at info@wiisag.ca as the program will go live on February 14, 2019.
Jake Linklater, far right, Executive Chairman of Wiisag Corporation, participated in a major projects panel at the First Nation Economic Advancement Conference last September in Toronto. Wiisag wants to partner with communities and entrepreneurs to become the largest First Nation cannabis company in Canada.
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Growth and Prosperity u Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp Magazine
Medicinal Cannabis Available for First Nation and Inuit Patients By February 1, 2019 – Register Today • Wiisag is headquartered at Neyaashiinigmiing (Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation) on the west shore of Georgian Bay, near Owen Sound, Ontario. • Wiisag has secured the use of over 750 acres of arable land for Wiisag to use to grow cannabis outdoors and to create an industrial park to grow cannabis indoors, develop cannabis products, extract cannabis for oils, process outdoor harvests and package products through varied partnership agreements. • Wiisag’s intends to grow a competitive, authentic, indigenous global cannabis brand and invites other First Nation communities and indigenous entrepreneurs to join our mission. • Wiisag’s launch strategy is focused on addressing the health and community safety issues of Indigenous peoples living on and off reserve by introducing personal nurse care throughout the patients journey with cannabis. This is to address the strong desire for safe and effective access and utilization of cannabis. • Wiisag’s vision is inclusive to any First Nation that wants to participate. Management is committed to finding optimal roles for any interested FN or entrepreneurs, whether it is in growing cannabis, training people, joining our safe and effective distribution of recreational products.
For more information, or to register as a patient, email info@wiisag.ca
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For more information, visit: www.bimaadzwin.ca contact@bimaadzwin.ca
Nationhood & Sovereignty
Land
People
Prosperity
Our magazine’s editorial committee aims to provide an advisory function for every issue that will set the standard for an educational, provocative, and enjoyable read on what’s happening in the Indigenous Cannabis and Hemp industry. Whether you’re a policy maker, legal expert, entrepreneur, parent, teacher, doctor, political leader, student, or parent - this magazine will prove to be functional and highly informative. 16 L