Saginaw Chippewa Tribe maintains strong stance on marijuana


Chief Steve Pego displays the birch bark document declaring a war on substance abuse. Photo from Saginaw Chippewa Tribe

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan is not interested in legalizing marijuana for any purpose, a spokesperson said.

Last October, the tribe declared a war on substance abuse to combat heroin on the reservation. Just last month, the tribe banished two people who were found with a large amount of the drug.

But marijuana also remains a concern. Tribal leaders will meet with the Department of Justice this week to discuss the issue, WNEM reported.

Marijuana was involved in a sexual assault that occurred on the reservation.Joshua Todd Kress, 37, was sentenced to 64 months in prison and five years of supervised release for providing the drug to a 14-year-old girl.

Get the Story:
Saginaw Chippewa tribe to decide on legalizing recreational marijuana (WNEM 4/28)
Man sentenced for sexual abuse of 14-year-old girl on Isabella Reservation (Mlive 4/27)
Man sentenced for sexual abuse (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 4/27)

Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)

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