RCMP Raid Four Mi’kmaw First Nations in Latest Nova Scotia Cannabis Crackdown

Nova Scotia RCMP conducted inspections at five illegal cannabis storefronts on March 3rd — four of them located within Mi’kmaw First Nations communities — seizing cannabis, hash, shatter, and tobacco products, and issuing six Summary Offence Tickets under the provincial Cannabis Control Act.

The targeted locations were in Eskasoni, Potlotek, Paq’tnkek, and Waycobah First Nations, along with a fifth location in Conway. A sixth storefront in Weltons Landing — just south of Kentville — was checked on March 5th but had already shut down, with no product found on site.

Officers also flagged that some seized cannabis was packaged to resemble candy — packaging that is illegal in Canada and raises concern about accidental consumption by children.

The Bigger Picture

This raid is part of an escalating conflict between the Nova Scotia provincial government and Mi’kmaw communities over who has the right to sell cannabis.

In December 2025, the province issued a directive ordering police to intensify enforcement against illegal cannabis operations, and Justice Minister Scott Armstrong sent a letter to 13 Mi’kmaw chiefs asking for their cooperation. Mi’kmaw leaders pushed back hard, saying the crackdown disproportionately targets their communities.

Nova Scotia’s position is that all retail cannabis sales outside the Crown-owned Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation are illegal. Mi’kmaq leaders, however, argue they hold a treaty right to grow and sell cannabis.

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs and several legal experts have accused the province of encouraging law enforcement to target Indigenous communities — a charge Premier Tim Houston and Minister Armstrong have repeatedly denied, insisting the measures apply to all unlicensed cannabis sellers.

Things escalated further when Sipekne’katik First Nation banned Premier Houston and two ministers from their reserve, declaring them “banned as undesirables” — a threat carrying a $50,000 fine. Houston characterized the ban as “bizarre.”

On the public safety claims used to justify the crackdown, the Nova Scotia RCMP confirmed they are not aware of any fentanyl having been detected in cannabis products seized from illegal storefronts in the province — contradicting earlier statements made by the premier.

In late February, the province tabled a new bill to strengthen the Cannabis Control Act, proposing significantly higher fines — ranging from $250–$500 for lower offences up to $15,000–$50,000 for more serious ones. Legal experts have warned the harsher penalties could disproportionately affect Indigenous communities.

What Comes Next

The investigations from the March 3rd raids remain ongoing. Supporters of the Mi’kmaw dispensaries argue the stores represent both economic opportunity and an assertion of Indigenous sovereignty. Critics of the crackdown say it undermines reconciliation efforts at a time when treaty rights to cannabis sales are still being argued in court.

If you have information about illegal drug activity in your community, contact your local RCMP or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.