A view of the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska. Photo from Omaha Tribe
Members of the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska will go to the polls tomorrow for an advisory referendum on marijuana. Two questions whether the tribe should legalize marijuana for recreational use or for medicinal purposes. Industrial hemp is the focus of the third question. "The Tribal Council is seeking input from the tribal membership to assist the Tribal Council in determining whether the tribal membership wants the Tribal Council to pursue legalization of marijuana," the FAQ states. Marijuana otherwise remains illegal under federal law. The Department of Justice opened the door to legal marijuana in Indian Country with the 2014 Wilkinson memo. So far, however, no tribe has successfully grown the drug -- or even hemp, marijuana's harmless cousin -- without being raided by state or federal authorities. Get the Story:
Omaha Tribe to consider legalizing marijuana (The Lincoln Journal Star 10/31)
Tribes eye pot resorts for profit (The Grand Rapids Business Journal 10/30)
Opposing laws cloud Flandreau's pot plan (KSFY 10/29) Some Opinions:
Carole Valade: Tribal marijuana resorts should give pause to legislators (The Grand Rapids Business Journal 10/30)
Bob Mercer: More jobs needed in the right places (The Pierre Capital Journal 11/1) Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
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