A cannabis plant. Photo from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via Wikipedia
Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians who support legal marijuana are welcoming the introduction of H.R.5014, the Tribal Marijuana Sovereignty Act. The bill ensures that tribes won't be punished by the federal government for developing their own marijuana laws and policies. It also allows the Indian Health Service to discuss and recommend medical marijuana to patients. "What is particularly promising in this bill is the language regarding IHS healthcare providers who will be given the authority to discuss cannabis as a medicine with their patients and then recommend it," Joey Owle of Common Sense Cannabis told The Cherokee One Feather. "Some conversation for our tribe has focused on how legalization of cannabis would affect some federal funding. This bill provides that answer." Tribal members like Owle have embraced marijuana as a health aide. But Chief Patrick Lambert vetoed a feasibility study for the drug because he said it could have led to recreational use. Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisconsin) introduced H.R.5014 on April 20. It does not yet have any co-sponsors. Get the Story:
Tribal Marijuana Sovereignty Act introduced in House (The Cherokee One Feather 4/27) Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
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