Tulalip Tribes exclude member for medicinal marijuana usage

Monday, August 12, 2013  

A member of the Tulalip Tribes of Washington has been banned from the reservation for a year, a punishment he says is unfair for his use of medicinal marijuana.

Dennis Boon, 47, was found guilty in tribal court of possession with intent to sell. Officers found him with 240 grams of marijuana, an amount far lower than the legal limits in Washington, where medicinal marijuana is allowed.

But the tribe doesn't follow state law. And Boon was living in a tribal housing unit that was built with federal funds -- federal laws do not recognize medicinal marijuana.

Boon tried to get the tribe to recognize medicinal marijuana but his effort failed in 2011. He believe he is being singled out because he criticized the tribal government.

Boon will be able to move back to the reservation next July. He can petition in advance if he wants to attend cultural events.

Get the Story:
Marijuana divides a man and his tribe (The Everett Herald 8/11)