National Congress of American Indians President Brian Cladoosby delivered the State of Indian Nations in Washington, D.C., on January 22.
The National Congress of American Indians is hosting a session on marijuana at its winter meeting in Washington, D.C., next week. The session will focus on the recent Department of Justice policy that could open the door for marijuana in Indian Country. Several tribes have expressed interest in cultivating the drug even though it remains illegal under federal law. "This breakout session will focus on the information and discussion to assist tribal leaders considering marijuana policy in Indian Country. It will include participation from federal law enforcement officials at Justice and BIA, and the meeting will be closed to press," NCAI said in its draft agenda about the session. The session comes ahead of the first-ever Tribal Marijuana Conference. Representatives of at least 30 tribes from 13 states have signed up for the February 27 event, an attorney told CityLab. The next day, Lummi Nation council member Henry Cagey will hold the first meeting of the Tribal Cannabis Association. Both events take place at the Tulalip Resort Casino, owned by the Tulalip Tribes. “Everyone -- everyone -- is talking about medical marijuana,” Stacey Montooth, a spokesperson for the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony in Nevada, told CityLab. Her tribe hasn't made a decision either way on the drug. Get the Story:
Native American Tribes and the Future of Marijuana (CityLab 2/19) Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
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)
