Six Nations residents push back against local cannabis operation

There’s a growing divide happening in Six Nations over a marijuana grow-op that neighbours say was built with no consultation. But its owners maintain their operation is following all the rules.

Some of those who live next to the grow-op located at 1581 4th Line Rd. have launched a petition to get the site shut down, citing concerns over its proximity to town, its environmental impact on the area, and the amount of noise and smell it’s creating.

“Everybody tried to keep it a secret, but you can’t keep it a secret, look at how big it is,” said neighbour Nancy Porter

Last year, the land behind Porter’s home on Six Nations became a massive marijuana grow operation.

“No notice, no nothing,” said Porter.

She says it has been nothing short of a headache for her and her family,

“In the spring, we had a lot of flooding then. And because they put this berm up, they stopped the natural water flow. It’s coming off the ditches and off of my property over on the corner of it,” said Porter.

Flooding, noise, odour, all issues she says she now deals with on a constant basis.

“It’s way too close to the most populated area on the reserve. That was my main concern, and it still is today. However it got here, who allowed them to put it there, I’ve never gotten any answers,” said Porter.

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The property is surrounded by several other residences, and is just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Ohsweken.

But the man behind the operation says he’s taken every step with the Six Nations Cannabis Commission to keep things above board and legal.

“I’ve been an open door with them. I’ve had council members who have reached out, the Cannabis Commission who is basically their arm from the council of it. You know, they do run themselves. And then I’ve had HGI there, I’ve had Public Works, we’ve had the Six Nations Police there, none of them have found any issues,” said Aaron Porter, owner of the grow-op.

In a region saturated by black market grow operations, Aaron says he’s surprised by the backlash he’s receiving.

“It’s been nuts. I’ve never in my life been so hated by my own community. So that part does suck. And I’m worried for my friends and my family, I know they get messages all the time,” said Aaron.

The root of the controversy may lie in the community’s governance structure itself.

“I felt that the band council actually positioned the cannabis industry to be an industry that would be regulated, much like the outside. But we’re not outside. We have our own governing policies, we have our own governing practices,” said Audrey Ann Hill, former Six Nations Cannabis Commission member.

“I have a lot of respect for the ladies, for the people that are advocating for it to be gone. There are two main positions on this, and it’s going to be up to our leadership to make the call on that, and that I will respect, whatever it is,” said Ann Hill.

In a press release issued last month, the Six Nations Council Administration said they’re seeking legal advice on how to best remedy the situation.

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