The Runaway, a mural at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo from Facebook
Interest in marijuana continues to grow in Indian Country, judging by the number of meetings and organizations popping up. The latest entrant is the Tribal Hemp and Cannabis Summit. The event will take place April 23 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “With this summit, we plan to provide tribes with impartial information that will assist them in their decision making process. Both hemp and cannabis hold a lot of promise, and the opportunities range from manufacturing of supply chain products to full grow operations” said Cristala Mussato-Allen, a member of the Caddo Nation who serves as the executive director of Native Workplace, a co-organizer of the conference along with Kurple Magazine. Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. But a Department of Justice policy that was made public in December has sparked interest among tribes, who might be able to grow and sell the drug for medical and commercial purposes. Since the announcement, the Tribal Marijuana Conference drew a large crowd to the Tulalip Reservation in Washington late last month. The organizers of that event are holding a workshop in San Diego, California, on April 2. Out of that initial gathering, Henry Cagey, a council member and former chair of the Lummi Nation of Washington, decided to create the Tribal Leaders Cannabis Association. The group is holding its first official meeting today, after the conclusion of the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. Another group, called the National Indian Cannabis Coalition, also launched during RES. The groups reflect a slowly-growing list of tribes that have publicly stated they are interested in marijuana. Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Opinion: High stakes in debate for marijuana in
Indian Country (3/11) Jacqueline Keeler: Tribes showing interest in growing marijuana (3/10)
Interview: Allyson Doctor on National Indian Cannabis Coalition (3/10)
Workshop on tribal marijuana to be held in California next month (3/9)
Tribes in Wisconsin discuss marijuana with federal prosecutors (3/9)
Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Tribe launches marijuana project (3/5)
Measure reaffirms Navajo Nation policy against legal marijuana (3/5)
Lummi Nation leader moves ahead with tribal cannabis group (3/3)
Marijuana presented as another opportunity for Indian Country (3/2)
Former Sisseton Wahpeton chairman joins marijuana company (2/26)
Hoopa Valley Tribe places marijuana referendum on April ballot (2/26)
Opinion: Tribes get ready to discuss marijuana in Indian Country (2/25)
Bill for tribal marijuana agreements advancing in Washington (2/24)
Ray Cook: Indian Country should say yes to cultivation of hemp (2/23)
Menominee Nation leader wants to move quickly on marijuana (2/20)
Poarch Creeks bring up marijuana in Florida gaming deal talks (2/20)
Closed session at NCAI winter meeting to focus on marijuana (2/19)
Lummi Nation leader announces meeting to discuss marijuana (2/18)
Northern Cheyenne Tribe enters debate over legal marijuana (2/17)
Opinion: Vast opportunities for tribes and marijuana industry (2/16)
Evictions linked to Pinoleville Pomo Nation's marijuana project (2/13)
Washington bill authorizes tribal-state marijuana agreements (2/12)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation puts marijuana farm on temporary hold (2/11)
Brian Pierson: State law still matters as tribes pursue marijuana (2/11)
Harlan McKosato: Marijuana debate heats up in Indian Country (2/10)
Alfred Walking Bull: Move slowly on marijuana in Indian Country (2/9)
Red Lake Nation to hold community meetings on legal marijuana (2/9)
Chairman of Havasupai Tribe welcomes marijuana opportunity (2/5)
Company claims major interest in marijuana in Indian Country (2/3)
Quapaw Tribe interested in cultivating marijuana for medical uses (1/30)
Seneca Nation doesn't foresee taking action on legal marijuana (1/29)
First-ever conference to focus on marijuana in Indian Country (1/27)
Fort Peck Tribes moving towards full legalization of marijuana (1/27)
Fort Peck Tribes approve marijuana use for medicinal purposes (1/19)
MPR: Red Lake Nation takes a small step towards legal marijuana (1/16)
Red Lake Nation backs study on medicinal marijuana and hemp (1/15)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation to use marijuana revenue for programs (1/15)
Column: New Mexico should strike marijuana deals with tribes (1/13)
Native Sun News: Tribal members debate legalization of 'peji' (1/12)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation confirms deal for legal marijuana farm (1/9)
Speculation grows about tribal marijuana operation in California (1/8)
Company set to announce tribal marijuana operation in California (1/7)
Column: Legal marijuana could bring dramatic changes for tribes (1/5)
Editorial: Legal marijuana is the last thing Indian Country needs (12/24)
Some South Dakota tribes said to be interested in legal marijuana (12/22)
Editorial: Showing caution for marijuana sales in Indian Country (12/18)
Column: No rush on marijuana sales at Eastern Cherokee casino (12/17)
Opinion: DOJ marijuana policy in Indian Country raises questions (12/16) DOJ announces new policy affecting marijuana in Indian Country (12/11)
