The Penticton Indian Band is looking into cultivating medical marijuana on their land, after being contacted by a company interested in doing so.
Chief Jonathan Kruger said they were recently approached by Kaneh Bosm BioTechnology to see if the band was interested in doing a joint venture.
"The PIB is going through a land use planning process with the community and there is a long list the commuity created of what they would like to see, and medical marijuana and hemp production was on that list," he said.
Band members put the cultivation on the list because some band members are using medical marijuana for healing. Many have also shared their heartbreaking stories of complications using other medication, which have really been eye opening, said the chief.
So far, Kruger says they have signed a non-binding letter of intent to start the process for the company to introduce themselves to the community and to look at envronmental assessments and other matters.
It is early in the process, he said. They have just basically introduced themselves and there wll be more meetings and a referendum process.
"If all goes well and the referendum passes, we will be doing a joint venture and building this facility to grow medical marijuana on the reserve," he said. "We have a couple of sites we are looking at and will figure out the feasibility."
Michael Martinz, the company's president, said they approached the PIB because they realized that the licensed producer space is becoming increasingly competitive and that working with a First Nations group in a joint venture capacity would give them a competitive advantage.
He said they couldn't ask for a better partner than the PIB.
"Jonathan is a very aggressive businessman and it is very impressive to see the nobility he possesses," Martinz says. "Everything he does, he always thinks about band members, his land and his legacy that he will provide."
The band is being open and transparent, throughout the process, Kruger emphasized, stating they will be talking with Aboriginal Affairs and Health Canada.
In terms of who would benefit from the cultivation, the chief said he would like to create a list of people here locally who use medical marijuana
Although it is still early days, Kruger is feeling good about what has unfolded so far.
"The community is opening up and sharing their comments and supporting this effort," he said. "I've barely heard any negative comments. I am constantly impressed by the PIB and their membership. We have done so much in these last few years."