The Government of British Columbia and Cowichan Tribes have entered a time-limited agreement under section 119 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act (CCLA).

Under the one-year agreement, Cowichan Tribes will be able to participate in cannabis retail and production. The CCLA generally restricts businesses from operating in both the cannabis production and retail sectors in order to ensure the B.C. retail market is not dominated by a small number of larger producers.

The time-limited agreement enables Cowichan Tribes to continue its existing licensed retail cannabis operations and participate in licensed cannabis production. During the period of the agreement, the Province will undertake further policy work to ensure the provincial regulatory framework supports continued development of a robust and diverse cannabis industry that is inclusive of Indigenous Nations.

Section 119 of the CCLA authorizes the Province to enter into agreements with Indigenous Nations with respect to cannabis. The Cowichan Tribes agreement is the second of its kind – the Province entered into its first section 119 agreement with Williams Lake First Nation on Sept. 20, 2020.

Learn More:

Cowichan Tribes order-in-council (OIC): https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/oic/oic_cur/0663_2020

Williams Lake First Nation OIC: https://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/oic/oic_cur/0554_2020

Williams Lake First Nation Agreement: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2020PSSG0055-001834