Mi’kmaq Man Challenges Cannabis Charges with Treaty Rights

0:00It's March 26. You're listening to Canada News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with The Story. A Mick Mack man from Nova Scotia faces charges for selling unlicensed cannabis, but his case is now heading to a constitutional challenge based on ancient treaty rights. Thomas Derpy runs five shops where he sells the product along with local artwork, claiming these spots qualify as protected trading posts from historic agreements. In a recent ruling, a provincial court judge decided that treaty rights won't factor into the early stages of the trial. Court dates to schedule the full challenge are set for April 10. These trading posts stem from treaties signed between the Mick Mack and the British Crown in the 1700s, which Derpy argues give his. Community broad rights to trade goods like cannabis. Derpy hopes a win could create a major precedent, letting him and others openly sell cannabis under treaty protections and reshaping how these old.

1:00Agreements apply today. The charges came in 2024 after police searched his Dartmouth location and the case continues to draw attention to indigenous rights in modern business.