Pinoleville Pomo Nation was initially resistant to marijuana farm


A cannabis plant. Photo from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via Wikipedia

The Pinoleville Pomo Nation of California is placing a health emphasis on its marijuana operation.

The tribe is working with Foxbarry Companies and United Cannabis to produce and sell marijuana for medicinal purposes. But President Mike Canales said the effort took some convincing.

"We used to call cannabis locoweed," Canales told The Ukiah Daily Journal, which is running a six-part exclusive series on the tribe's operation. "Once we understood this was the farthest thing from the truth, the tribe began moving forward. I was one of those detractors, until I saw and understood the entire cannabis story,”

The tribe passed its own laws to legalize and regulate the drug. The goal was to be consistent with a Department of Justice that opened the door for marijuana in Indian Country.

But authorities in Medocino County say they will assert jurisdiction over the operation if it violates local laws. The main issue appears to be an ordinance known as 9.31 that bars more than 25 plants from being grown on a particular parcel.

The tribe so far hasn't faced any enforcement actions.

Get the Story:
Pinoleville Tribe’s ‘collective’ collaboration in development of medical cannabis projec (The Ukiah Daily Journal 7/12)

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

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