8 per cent of Six Nations cannabis sales have to go back to the community: new law

Six Nations has set a new cannabis law saying eight per cent of sales have to go to community projects.

The territory's elected council passed a law Feb. 25 saying permit holders who produce, process, distribute or sell marijuana have to contribute to the community.

Eight per cent of gross cannabis sales at the end of the month will go to the elected council, says the new law.

Council will use that money to help with roads, parks, post-secondary education, the swimming pool or bowling alley, or other projects that help youth or elders.

"All members of Six Nations of the Grand River are expected to give back to the community in whatever capacity they are able," says the new cannabis control law.

And as such, "community contributions will be an expectation of each permit holder."

The new law governs all production, distribution, sale, possession or use of cannabis on Six Nations. The elected council passed it after holding community engagement sessions.

The council will establish a Six Nations Cannabis Control Commission, it said in a statement. This will happen within six months.

That commission will oversee permits and enforce the cannabis law. The commission, which is arm's length from the elected council, will have five members appointed by council and a non-voting ex-officio from the council and confederacy.

Here are some other highlights:

• People applying for permits have to submit a business plan, and the proposal has to meet provincial and federal regulations.
• Anyone using, possessing, processing or distributing cannabis has to be at least 19.
• It costs $5,000 to apply for a permit.
• No one can use cannabis in public areas, including school zones, longhouses, churches or other buildings where smoking isn't allowed.
• No one can use cannabis and operate a motor vehicle.
• Using cannabis in public can result in mandatory cannabis education on first offence, a fine of up to $1,000 for a second offence, and $5,000 for subsequent offences.
• Elected council can limit the number of permits at any time.
• Permit fees "will be held in trust as a legal defence fund."