Low turnout decides cannabis regulations in Tyendinaga

The Mohawk of the Bay of Quinte (MBQ) recently held a plebiscite to decide on regulations regarding the sale of medical and recreational marijuana. On November 16, 2019 eligible voters of MBG went to the polls to determine whether they agree the Tyendinaga Mohawk Cannabis Control Board shall regulate all cannabis business activity in their Territory.

What they were voting for: The vote on November 16, 2019 was to determine whether they support having a Cannabis Control Law, and the Cannabis Control Board that the Law creates, regulate cannabis businesses in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. One Feather online voting was offered between October 28, 2019 and closed on November 16, 2019 at 6 p.m.

The question appeared on the MBQ ballot as follows:

Please answer yes if you agree with the statement below, or no if you disagree.

The Cannabis Control Board and the Cannabis Control Law shall regulate all cannabis business activity in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory through licensing and other control mechanisms set out in the Law.

2. What will happen if the vote succeeds:

The vote will succeed if a majority of the individuals who vote, vote in favour of the proposed Law and Cannabis Control Board. The plebiscite process will include a record of number of votes casts and the result of the vote.

If the vote succeeds, the Cannabis Control Board will be given authority under the Cannabis Control Law and the Board’s authority will take effect in the Territory on July 2, 2020. Prior to this date, elections will be held to vote in the three elected members of the Cannabis Control Board, and the two appointed members will be chosen in time to have this Board trained and ready for business by the end of the transition period.

Once all Board members are in place, the Cannabis Control Board will be responsible for licensing every cannabis business on the Territory and ensuring that those businesses are in compliance with the Law and associated regulations. This applies to new cannabis businesses as well as businesses that are already operating. If a cannabis business is unable to meet the requirements under the Law and be licensed by the Cannabis Control Board, they will not be allowed to operate on the Territory.

According to the MBQ website, The Tyendinaga Mohawk Council is disappointed with the results of the cannabis control law plebiscite vote held on the territory.

“A total of 326 people voted; 141 in person and 185 electronically. A total of 167 were in favor and 159 disagreed. No spoiled votes were recorded.

While we would like to thank community members for participating in the plebiscite vote, TMC believes that the results of the vote are not fully representative of the community’s needs or interests to move forward with a mandate at this time. A low voter turnout indicates that increased community engagement and discussion needs to take place.

As elections for Chief and Council will take place in December with a new Council taking office on December 18, 2019, TMC will make recommendations on next steps for the incoming Council to consider on this issue”.