I am a tribal member residing in Flandreau and I was not aware of their interest to legalize marijuana until the day before the 5-02-15 general council meeting. I was present to voice my disapproval of recreational marijuana use on every level -morally, ethically, and in regard to our heritage. Others offered their comments, as well. The EC did not offer a business plan with substantiated numbers to support a well thought out plan. They said they were told they could make $2 million a month and I’m sorry to say that they believed it.

In September, Annie Wakeman and I carried a petition requesting a “Special Meeting on the Marijuana Project” with the EC. We did this due to growing concern by tribal elders and a significant number of other tribal members. It contained a list of 12 concerns. We obtained the required 87 signatures (30% of the voting membership) and submitted it to the Tribal Secretary.

We received an official letter that stated the “petition was not in proper form” and that “the petition neither calls to change a previously enacted law or to discuss a matter in which the Tribe has not previously discussed. It calls for absolutely no action.”

We hoped the Chairman would take note that 30% of his voting members had further questions and concerns, as the signers of the petition were both for and against the EC’s decision to legalize marijuana.