People can buy recreational marijuana on Akwesasne territory

AKWESASNE, New York (WWNY) – A St. Regis Mohawk tribal court tells the tribal government that recreational marijuana deals are okay. The verdict means that people in the Akwesasne field can buy cannabis.

Customers are still flocking to the Akwesasne pot shops. They come for all kinds of reasons.

“It’s more for convenience. I have a medical marijuana card. I usually have to travel to Plattsburgh. That cuts my time in half, ”said Josh Miller, Native Flower client.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe ordered the shops to be closed. They say they work without a license. Many opened before the tribe passed licensing regulations.

But last week a tribal court rejected the tribal government’s shutdown orders for seven stores.

The tribe said, “The judgment of the court does not condone or even address the ability of these rogue operations to proceed under their so-called licenses.”

The tribal government has already asked the court to reconsider.

Five of the stores were opened with licenses from a competing group: the Indian Way Longhouse. Last week’s verdict gives the shops the green light to continue operating. Meanwhile, others say they will be waiting for tribal licenses.

“The license will enable us to develop our own product. It will allow us to test our own product. And it will also allow us to diversify our genetic strains and serve customers the way they want, ”said Ryan White, CEO and manager of Budders.

White hopes to open the Budders superstore in a few months. The tribe is now processing a license for Budders and dozens of other applicants.

The pot shops get a big jump on any shops that may open in nearby communities like Massena and Malone.

New York legalized marijuana in April. But it still has to meet the regulations that would allow retail cannabis to be sold. She wants to do that by next year. Political wrangling could stop it.

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