First Nations Band Council decisions on delivery of cannabis and cannabis retail stores on First Nations reserves

First Nations reserve Band Councils can opt out of having an authorized cannabis retail store on their reserve. Band Councils can also restrict cannabis delivery and pick-up services to First Nation communities on reserves.

Authorized cannabis retail stores on First Nations reserves

First Nations reserve Band Councils have the option to opt-out of having authorized cannabis retail stores on their reserves located within Ontario. This is done by passing a Band Council Resolution and providing it to the Registrar as soon as possible by email at connect@agco.ca

The First Nations that have opted out are listed in the table below.

If an applicant wishes to have an authorized store on a reserve that has not opted out, a Retail Store Authorization will not be issued until the Band Council provides the Registrar with a Resolution that approves the location of the store on that reserve. Learn more about applying for a Retail Store Authorization. 

Any First Nations reserve that does not appear in the table below may have an authorized retail store on its reserve.

 

First Nations ReservesStatusDate of Resolution
Mississaugas of Scugog IslandOpt outJan 22, 2019

 

A Band Council can later reverse its decision and opt-in to having authorized cannabis retail stores on its reserve. This is done by passing a Band Council Resolution amending or rescinding the first Band Council Resolution. The second Resolution must be provided to the Registrar by email at connect@agco.ca as soon as possible. Once received, the table will be updated accordingly.

Delivery and pick-up of cannabis on First Nations reserves

Delivery to First Nations reserves is permitted unless the community has requested delivery be restricted.

To restrict delivery of cannabis on their reserves, First Nations Band Councils must pass a Band Council Resolution and submit it to the Registrar by email at connect@agco.ca.

The First Nation reserves that wish to restrict delivery to their community are listed in the table below.

Authorized retail cannabis stores can deliver to any First Nations reserve that does not appear in the table below.

 

First Nations Band CouncilStatusDate of ResolutionEffective Date
n/a   

 

The AGCO will notify Retail Store Authorization holders when a Band Council resolution is received and the restriction would come into effect 30 days after such notice is provided, after which point any delivery from an authorized cannabis retail store to the First Nations community would not be permitted.

A Band Council can later reverse its decision and opt-in to having cannabis delivery on its reserve. This is done by passing a Band Council Resolution rescinding the first Band Council Resolution. The second resolution must be sent to the Registrar by email at connect@agco.ca as soon as possible. Once received, the AGCO will update the table below accordingly.

For more details on deliver requirements, see the Curbside Pick-up and Delivery to Become Permanent on March 15 information bulletin and read the Cannabis Licence Act, 2018.