Cannabis on American Indian reservations

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A Bureau of Indian Affairs map of Indian reservations in the contiguous United States Indian reservations in the Continental United States.png
A Bureau of Indian Affairs map of Indian reservations in the contiguous United States

Cannabis on American Indian reservations historically largely fell under the same regulations as cannabis nationwide in the United States. However, the August 2013 issuance of the Cole Memorandum opened discussion on tribal sovereignty as pertains to cannabis legalization, which was further explored as the states of Washington and Colorado legalized marijuana. A clarifying memo in December 2014 stated that the federal government's non-interference policies that applied to the 50 states, would also apply to the 326 recognized American Indian reservations. [1] [2] [3] U.S. Attorney for Oregon, Amanda Marshall, stated that the clarification had been issued in response to legal questions from tribal nations, but that only three unnamed tribes, in California, Washington state, and "the Midwest" had stated explicit interest in legalizing.

Contents

Shinnecock Indian Nation

As a sovereign nation, the Shinnecock Indian Nation has the ability to set its own tax laws. This means that cannabis products purchased on the reservation are not subject to the state’s sales tax. For shoppers, this translates to significant savings on their cannabis purchases.

Oglala Sioux nation

The Oglala Sioux nation legalized industrial hemp in 1998, and the family of Alex White Plume began to produce the crop from 2000–2002, but federal authorities destroyed his crops and issued him a restraining order forbidding further cultivation. [4] [3] [5]

In January 2014, the Oglala Sioux tribal council approved a proposal to hold a tribal vote to decide on legalizing marijuana on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, [6] but the council later rejected the proposal. [7]

Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe

In mid-2015, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe stated their intent to begin growing cannabis on one authorized site on their reservation, and commence selling the product on January 1, 2016, following a vote of tribal authorities which decided 5–1 to legalize cannabis. Under the regulation, buyers are required to consume the product on tribal property. [8] [9]

In November 2015, the tribe burned its cannabis crop after discussions with the state and federal attorney's general indicated they were at risk for a federal raid. A representative of the tribe stated in February 2016 that the tribe would pursue legislative solutions to move forward with their cannabis project. [10]

Menominee Indian Reservation

In August 2015 the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin held a vote on proposed measures to legalize medical and/or recreational cannabis. The Menonimee are uniquely placed in the state, as the only American Indian reservation which falls only under federal law, rather than under Wisconsin Public Law 280 like all other reservations in the state, meaning that the state of Wisconsin cannot prevent legal changes within the sovereign reservation. [11] In an "advisory vote", the tribal membership voted 77% in favor of legalizing medical cannabis, and 58% in favor of legalizing recreational; the tribal Chairman stated that tribal legislators would next decide whether to move forward on the two issues. [12]

In 2016, the Navajo Nation signed its first resolution to grow industrial hemp. [13]

Suquamish Tribe and Squaxin Island Tribe

Suquamish cannabis shop on the Port Madison Indian Reservation Agate Dreams cannabis in Suquamish.jpg
Suquamish cannabis shop on the Port Madison Indian Reservation

The Squaxin Island Tribe opened the United States' first tribal-controlled cannabis store, "Elevation", in November 2015. The Suquamish Tribe in Western Washington began selling cannabis in December 2015, collecting the same 37% tax as the surrounding state. [14] [15] Both tribes legalized marijuana internally, and signed 10-year compacts with the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. [16]

The Squaxin Island Tribe's Island Enterprises began growing cannabis in 2017, in the Skokomish River Valley on what they called the state's first licensed outdoor farm. [17]

2015 Modoc County raids

In July 2015, a joint operation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Indian Affairs shut down grow operations on two reservations in Modoc County in Northern California. Plants and prepared cannabis were seized, but no arrests were made; news reporting indicated that the informant whose complaint sparked the raid was involved in a political power struggle with one of the growers, who is also her brother. [18]

Puyallup

Commencement Bay Cannabis, operated by the Puyallup Tribe, opened on tribal property in Fife, Washington in 2017. The city does not allow cannabis sales, but the tribe operates outside the city's jurisdiction. [19]

S’Klallam

In December, 2018, the Port Gamble Band of S’Klallam Indians entered a compact with the State of Washington to sell cannabis on its land. [20]

Crow Tribe

The Crow Tribe of Montana legislative branch approved adult-use cannabis sales on April 16, 2021. [21]

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in New York legalized adult-use cannabis on June 28, 2021. Under the legislation, dispensaries must be licensed by the tribe, and all growing, processing, and sales must occur on tribal lands. Adult tribal members are permitted to grow up to twelve plants. [22] [23] [24]

Opposition on tribal lands

Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Drug Enforcement Administration Fresno Area Surveillance Team and local sheriffs eradicate illicit marijuana on Pit River tribal lands, 2015 BIA and DEA request support from the Counterdrug Task Force 150708-Z-QO726-004.jpg
Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Drug Enforcement Administration Fresno Area Surveillance Team and local sheriffs eradicate illicit marijuana on Pit River tribal lands, 2015

The Washington Post in 2014 noted that the Yakama Nation of Washington State, following the state's legalization of cannabis, opposed legalization in ten state counties containing what the tribe considers its traditional lands. [25] [26]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squaxin Island Tribe</span> Native American tribe in Washington, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Menominee Indian Reservation</span> Indian reservation in United States, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flandreau Indian Reservation</span> Indian reservation in United States, Flandreau Santee Sioux

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in California</span> Legality, use and culture of medical and recreational cannabis in California

Cannabis in California has been legal for medical use since 1996, and for recreational use since late 2016. The state of California has been at the forefront of efforts to liberalize cannabis laws in the United States, beginning in 1972 with the nation's first ballot initiative attempting to legalize cannabis. Although it was unsuccessful, California would later become the first state to legalize medical cannabis through the Compassionate Use Act of 1996, which passed with 56% voter approval. In November 2016, California voters approved the Adult Use of Marijuana Act with 57% of the vote, which legalized the recreational use of cannabis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Colorado</span> Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in Colorado, U.S.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Oregon Ballot Measure 91</span> Ballot measure in Oregon legalizing marijuana

Oregon Ballot Measure 91, also known as the Control, Regulation, and Taxation of Marijuana and Industrial Hemp Act was a 2014 ballot measure in the U.S. state of Oregon. Its passage legalized the "recreational use of marijuana, based on regulation and taxation to be determined by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Washington, D.C., Initiative 71</span> Ballot measure legalizing cannabis in Washington, D.C.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Wisconsin</span> Overview of the use and culture of cannabis in Wisconsin, U.S.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Virginia</span> Legality, use and culture of cannabis in the U.S. state of Virginia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Oklahoma</span> Legality, use and culture of cannabis in the U.S. state of Oklahoma

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Missouri</span> Legality, use and culture of cannabis in the U.S. state of Missouri

Cannabis in Missouri is legal for recreational use. A ballot initiative to legalize recreational use passed by a 53–47 margin on November 8, 2022. Possession for adults 21 and over became legal on December 8, 2022, with the first licensed sales occurring on February 3, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cannabis in Washington (state)</span> Overview of cannabis use and culture in Washington state

Cannabis in Washington relates to a number of legislative, legal, and cultural events surrounding the use of cannabis. On December 6, 2012, Washington became the first U.S. state to legalize recreational use of marijuana and the first to allow recreational marijuana sales. The state had previously legalized medical marijuana in 1998. Under state law, cannabis is legal for medical purposes and for any purpose by adults over 21.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elevation (cannabis shop)</span> Store in Kamilche, Washington

Elevation is a cannabis shop on the Squaxin Island Tribe trust lands at Kamilche, Washington, across Washington State Route 108 from the tribe's Little Creek Casino. It became the first tribally operated cannabis shop in the United States in November 2015.

References

  1. "Justice Department memo not likely to change pot laws on tribal land soon, officials say - Tulsa World: Courts". Tulsa World. December 13, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  2. "Indian tribes free to grow pot on their lands – as long as they follow federal laws | US news". The Guardian. Associated Press. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Decriminalizing 'Peji' in Indian Country opens options for tribes". Nativetimes.com. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  4. Associated, The (May 11, 2015). "Pine Ridge farmer Alex White Plume wants to grow hemp again". Thecannabist.co. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  5. "Former hemp farmer Alex White Plume to be feted in Colorado". Thecannabist.co. October 1, 2014. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  6. "Smoke Signals". Newsweek. May 15, 2014. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
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  12. "Menominee tribal members endorse marijuana proposals". StarTribune.com. Associated Press. August 21, 2015. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  13. "Navajo Tribe Signs Its First Hemp Growing Resolution". Forbes.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  14. Tad Sooter (December 10, 2015), "Suquamish Tribe opens marijuana shop", Kitsap Sun
  15. Tobias Coughlin-Bogue (December 8, 2015), "Washington State's Second Native American-Owned Pot Shop Is a Big Win for Tribal Sovereignty", The Stranger
  16. "Let It Be Pot: Two Washington State Tribes on Board". Indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  17. "Native Sun Grown Farm Grand Opening" (PDF), KLAH-CHE-MIN, Squaxin Island Tribe, July 2017
  18. Adams, Mike. "Federal Government Raids Native American Marijuana Operation". High Times. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  19. John Gillie (January 28, 2017), "Two marijuana retailers opening soon in city that still bans cannabis sales", The Tacoma News Tribune
  20. Tad Sooter (January 4, 2018), "S'Klallam Tribe moves closer to marijuana sales", Kitsap Sun via KING-TV
  21. "Crow Tribe to approve cannabis ordinance in Montana". Associated Press. April 23, 2021.
  22. Colello, Isabella (June 29, 2021). "Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe becomes first NYS tribe to legalize marijuana for adult use". InformNNY. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  23. Meehan, Maureen (July 9, 2021). "New York's St. Regis Mohawk Tribe To Start Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Way Ahead Of The Rest Of The State". Yahoo Finance. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  24. Clarke, Celia (June 29, 2021). "St Regis Mohawk Tribe adopts adult-use cannabis ordinance". North Country Public Radio. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  25. Gregg, Aaron (December 12, 2014). "Native American reservations now free to legalize marijuana". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
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Further reading