Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) has signed an agreement with National Access Cannabis (NAC), which provides medical marijuana to Canadian customers, in hopes of opening a marijuana retailer in Thompson once the drug becomes legal, which is scheduled for July 1 of next year.
NAC announced Dec. 21 that it had signed a limited partnership agreement with the First Nation, which owns and operates businesses in Thompson already, including Family Foods in the Thompson Plaza and the Mystery Lake Hotel, to establish a recreational cannabis store in the city when it becomes legal to do so.
"Situated in the 'Hub of the North,' the proposed Thompson location will provide much needed access to legal cannabis to broad group of Northern Manitobans," said NAC CEO Mark Goliger in a news release. "Extending our First Nations' relationships will not only provide better access, it also enables our partners to provide their members with better economic opportunities through the safe and secure operations of the new locations."
NAC announced last week that it was establishing similar partnerships with Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Peguis First Nation and Long Plain First Nation.
"Working with NAC, we can leverage their deep experience in effectively operating a clinical cannabis model to establish a safe, secure and legal retail location," said NCN Chief Marcel Moody, who said that the proposed location would be staffed by NCN members who would be trained using NAC's proprietary model to ensure safe and secure distribution of the product. "Providing our band members with meaningful employment opportunities is a significant priority, we look forward to working closely with the NAC team as the new location is completed and opened for the summer 2018 legalization."
