Suquamish Tribe signs first marijuana compact in Washington

Tuesday, September 15, 2015  

The Suquamish Tribe and the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board signed the first-ever marijuana compact on Monday.

The deal is the first to be negotiated under House Bill 2000, a new law that authorizes the state to enter into marijuana agreements. It addresses taxation, regulation and other issues at a retail store that's expected to open on the Port Madison Reservation later this year.

“Our tribe always favors a collaborative and cooperative approach,” Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman said in a press release. ”We believe that our relationship with the State, including this compact, will best serve and protect our tribal community, surrounding neighbors, and residents of the state.”

According to the compact, the Suquamish Evergreen Corporation will produce and process marijuana at a facility at 15915 State Highway 305 NE in Poulsbo. The location is near a gas station operated by the tribe and is a half-mile from the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort.

The tribe will charge a 37 percent tax that will be used to fund services and programs. The tax rate is the same as the state's.

Tribal law does not currently authorize individual members to operate retail outlets at this time. But the compact, which runs for 10 years, can be amended in the future in case that situation arises.

The agreement will be presented to Gov. Jay Inslee (D) for his approval. He signed HB 2000 into law in May.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. But the Department of Justice opened the door to legal forms of the drug in Indian Country with the 2014 Wilkinson memo.

Washington has legalized marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes. Through compacts, HB 2000 encourages cooperation to address jurisdiction, law enforcement and other issues in Indian Country.

In fiscal year 2015 -- the first year of sales -- marijuana generated $259.8 million, according to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. Taxes generated nearly $65 million for the state.

So far in fiscal year 2016, which started on July 1, sales have generated $144.2 million.

Get the Story:
Deal to let Suquamish Tribe open Kitsap County pot store (The Seattle Times 9/15)
Suquamish will enter retail marijuana market this fall (The North Kitsap Herald 9/15)
Compact 'doesn’t mean we endorse' marijuana use (The North Kitsap Herald 9/15)
Suquamish Tribe could soon be selling recreational marijuana in Kitsap County (The Kent Reporter 9/15)
Washington, Suquamish sign nation’s first state-tribal marijuana pact (Q13 Fox News 9/14)
State, Suquamish Tribe sign first ever marijuana compact (AP 9/14)
Squaxin, Suquamish tribes working on plans to sell marijuana (The Tacoma News-Tribune 9/12)

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

Passamaquoddy Tribe takes a step toward marijuana cultivation (09/01)
Menominee Nation supports marijuana in advisory referendum (08/21)
Gyasi Ross: Indian Country entering a new era with drug game (08/19)
Tribes in Oklahoma quick to express disinterest in marijuana (08/18)
Jay Daniels: KIDS Act punishes tribes for exercising sovereignty (08/17)
Jay Daniels: KIDS Act punishes tribes for exercising sovereignty (08/17)
Opinion: Anti-marijuana bill represents attack on sovereignty (08/11)
Senate bill bars federal funds to tribes that grow marijuana (08/07)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe getting ready to sell marijuana (08/05)
Senate committee examines costs of substance abuse on tribes (07/30)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe claims DOJ support for marijuana (07/29)
Vince Two Eagles: Questions about 'Pezhi' in Indian Country (07/23)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation hires security team at marijuana farm (07/17)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe expects big profits on marijuana (7/16)
Disputed leader of Alturas Rancheria blasts sister on marijuana (7/16)
Yurok Tribe welcomes raid of marijuana farms on reservation (7/15)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in talks with state on marijuana (7/15)
Menominee Nation schedules referendum on legal marijuana (7/14)
Seneca Nation expresses interest in joining marijuana industry (7/14)
Chair of Pit River Tribe slams federal raid of marijuana operation (7/13)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation was initially resistant to marijuana farm (7/13)
Native entrepreneur from Canada funded tribal marijuana grows (7/10)
Alturas Rancheria leadership dispute helped spur marijuana bust (7/9)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe will keep close watch on marijuana (7/9)
Authorities seize marijuana from tribal operations in California (7/8)
Tribes urged to proceed with caution in new marijuana industry (7/8)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe shares details of marijuana grow (06/24)
South Dakota official claims non-Indians can't use marijuana (6/23)
Editorial: Marijuana won't help Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (6/22)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe to sell marijuana by end of year (6/17)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe moves forward with legal marijuana (6/16)
Umatilla Tribes change marijuana use policy for casino employees (6/15)
Tribes take interest in growing marijuana for medical purposes (6/11)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation faces prosecution over marijuana plants (6/5)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation starts planting marijuana on reservation (6/4)
Tex Hall foresees marijuana as big business for Indian Country (6/3)
Tex Hall joins company to promote marijuana in Indian Country (6/1)
Voters of Red Cliff Band show support for some uses of marijuana (5/28)
Appropriations bill allows VA hospitals to recommend marijuana (5/26)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe issues statement on marijuana (05/13)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe to launch marijuana business (5/12)
Washington governor signs tribal marijuana agreement bill (5/11)
Rob Williams: Marijuana generates a buzz in Indian Country (5/8)
Red Cliff Band asks voters about legal marijuana and hemp (5/8)