The Siksika Nation could be the first indigenous people in Alberta to produce medical marijuana on-site.
An application was filed in July 2016 to Health Canada to grow pharmaceutical-grade marijuana on Siksika land, a decision approved by the Siksika Nation chief and council.
Council member Marsha Wolf Collar said after researching and observing trends across Canada and the U.S., the council determined the construction of a medical marijuana production facility is a smart move for business and community reasons.
“As a First Nation, we believe in a holistic view of health,” Wolf Collar said. “Unfortunately, we’re seeing in most communities a lot of opiate use, and synthetic drugs doing a lot of damage.”
With mounting evidence showing that production of high-quality, medical-grade marijuana can alleviate chronic pain, insomnia and even improve overall quality of life, Wolf Collar said manufacturing cannabis on Siksika land would benefit community members and outlying areas.