The Warm Springs Tribes of Oregon broke ground on the marijuana production facility on April 29, 2016. Photo by Jayson Smith / Spilyay Tymoo
With revenues from other businesses drying up, the Warm Springs Tribes of Oregon have turned to a new industry: marijuana. The tribe broke ground last month on a 36,000 square-foot marijuana greenhouse. Sales are due to begin in early 2017 and there are plans to open retail locations off the reservation. “The tribe has really been on the decline for several years—this will be a good foothold to start climbing again,” Ben Bisland, a project manager for Warm Springs Ventures, the tribe's economic development arm, The Atlantic reported. Tribal members used to receive a $100 monthly per capita but now it's dropped to $25, a tribal member told The Atlantic. Elders receive $300, down from $600. Marijuana is legal in Oregon for recreational use. But it's still illegal to grow, sell or distribute the drug under federal law. A Department of Justice policy -- known as the 2014 Wilkinson memo -- seemingly opened the door to legal marijuana in Indian Country. Tribes in neighboring Washington have entered the industry without problems although others have faced legal hurdles and some have been raided by federal and local authorities. The Warm Springs Tribes would be the first in Oregon to enter the industry. Get the Story:
A New Growth Industry for Native Americans: Weed (The Atlantic 5/20) Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
Related Stories
Warm
Springs Tribes break ground on greenhouse to grow marijuana (5/6)Warm Springs Tribes schedule referendum on legal marijuana (11/17)
Join the Conversation
