New York's First Legal Cannabis Dispensaries Opening By Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is launching the first regulated adult-use marijuana market in New York state, with sales starting on April 15 in Akwesasne, which sits on both banks of the St. Lawrence River.

Three Akwesasne shops will offer cannabis and cannabis products for sale in compliance with the Tribe’s Adult Use Cannabis Ordinance, reported RochesterFirst.com.

The ordinance states that adults 21 years old or older can transport, possess and use up to three ounces of cannabis and up to 24 grams of concentrated cannabis.

Since New York State has not authorized any retail cannabis outlets, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe is the first in the state to establish a tribally-licensed, legal framework for adult-use cannabis sales.

In fact, the Tribe is the first in the United States to regulate and license tribal member-owned businesses. 

According to the Tribe, licensing fees collected from licensed cannabis operations will be used to keep community members employed and fund a wide range of essential community services. The funds gathered will help support educational scholarships, public safety, road maintenance, elder assistance, health care, and community organizations.

Tribal Chief Michael Conners said he believes the system will benefit the community while providing a safe product for consumers.

“We are confident that the hard work of the tribally licensed cannabis business owners will result in loyal customers from beyond Akwesasne,” Conners said, per the Rochester newspaper.

“We know that it took a while, but we are confident that our system is designed to provide quality product, in a regulated system, with Compliance oversight and a qualified Board of Managers to see that all regulations are followed for the safety of our community and consumers,” Conners concluded.