The Northeast Nova RCMP recently conducted enforcement operations at an unlicensed cannabis storefront in Potlotek First Nation, leading to two arrests and widespread highway blockades across the province. On the morning of April 2, 2026, officers executed a search warrant at the Sikku Shop on Highway 4, resulting in the seizure of cannabis products and the arrest of two men.
Following the police action, groups gathered to block several major routes in a show of solidarity. In Potlotek, protesters used heavy equipment to block Highway 4, which prevented police from leaving the scene with their cruisers. Officers eventually departed the area on foot, leaving seven vehicles behind. These vehicles were recovered on April 3, after police worked with community leaders to clear the roads, though they sustained significant damage including broken windows, dents, and deflated tires.
Additional protest activity occurred throughout the day on April 2, impacting Highway 102 at Exit 10 and Exit 13A, as well as Highway 105 in Whycocomagh and Highway 104 in Paqtnkek. The disruptions on Highway 102 reduced traffic to a single lane for several hours and resulted in one non-injury collision.
The enforcement efforts are part of a broader provincial strategy that began in November 2025, when Justice Minister Scott Armstrong issued a directive to increase oversight of unlicensed cannabis shops. Mi’kmaw leaders, including Potlotek Chief Wilbert Marshall, maintain that the issue extends beyond cannabis and concerns matters of jurisdiction and treaty rights. Many First Nations leaders argue that the authority to operate dispensaries within their communities is protected by treaty, a legal question that has not yet been fully settled in Nova Scotia courts.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has publicly criticized the blockades, describing the obstruction of public roadways as unacceptable and affirming his support for the police. The RCMP has stated that investigations remain ongoing regarding the illegal sale of cannabis, the blockades, the damage to police property, and other related criminal offences.
