2021-04-21
Songhees Nation Enters Cannabis Retail Market with Songhees Cannabis S + S. S + S stands for ‘Skʷati Sῤaƛ̓ǝŋ’ which means ‘Crazy Smoke’ in Lekwungen.
April 20, 2021 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - VICTORIA, B.C., LEKWUNGEN TERRITORY
Two years after Canada legalized the sale of non-medicinal cannabis, Songhees Nation has opened its first cannabis retail enterprise. Songhees Cannabis S + S is the first of three cannabis retail operations in which Songhees Nation have invested. Licenses are pending for outlets in Victoria at 901 Gordon Street and one in the Bay Centre at 616 – 1150 Douglas. Songhees Nation has a majority ownership in Songhees Cannabis S + S, and are in partnership with Mr. Vikram Sachdeva, owner-operator of Seed and Stone, on the two downtown Seed and Stone locations.
Education and training for Songhees members is a key part of the Songhees Cannabis S + S business that includes opportunities to showcase and cross-promote Songhees culture, art and tourism initiatives. Employees trained at Songhees Cannabis S + S will contribute to staffing Seed and Stone Songhees: Edition on Gordon St and Seed & Stone on Fort St upon their opening, making way for additional training and education opportunities for other Songhees members.
Longer-term plans for Songhees Cannabis S + S include a micro-processing facility to develop markets for small craft cannabis growers and the introduction of vertical food farming to contribute to food security.
Chief Ron Sam, Songhees Nation
Getting into cannabis retail was not a decision that Songhees took lightly. We have had strong participation from our community in the discussions leading up to this decision over the past several years. We continue to engage and report to members as we enter this new area of business for the Nation.
What we consistently heard from our members is that the opportunity to influence and promote education and informed decision making as a primary component to harm reduction is important to them, as are the jobs and training opportunities in this specialized field.
Compliance and the safety of our customers, employees and the community are key components of our Songhees Cannabis S+S operation as well as our Seed and Stone retail outlets. Our stores have a comprehensive security plan incorporating the RCMP “Crime prevention through environmental design” program along with 24-hour security monitoring, and we have incorporated carbon filters in cannabis storage areas to limit odours. We recognize our role as responsible corporate citizens and neighbours within the broader community.
Our community is proud to be opening our first of three retail operations. We are encouraged by the potential for profit and the subsequent opportunities created from a strong revenue stream to help move us forward.
Songhees Cannabis S + S website will be ready in the coming weeks.
Hours of Operation: 9 am – 11 pm 7 days a week
Address: 1502 Admirals Road
Songhees Seafood and Steam, food truck, will be onsite offering a full menu of take-out items this week, Tuesday to Saturday, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Next week hours expand from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.