Back row: Red Crow founders Richard Tall Bear, left, and Rick Hill. Front row: Torres Martinez tribal representatives Joseph Mirelez and Mary Belardo. Photo from Red Crow LLC

The Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Tribe in southern California is launching a medical marijuana venture.

The Sovereignty Medical Tribal Corporation, a tribal subsidiary, will work with Red Crow, a Native-owned company, to develop a medical cannabis production and processing facility on the reservation. Red Crow will provide all of the funding and will own 49 percent of the venture.

"Torres Martinez's Sovereignty Medical Tribal Corporation is proud to exercise its rights as a sovereign tribal nation to partner with Red Crow Cannabis to provide quality medication for patients across the state of California. The tribe is committed to adhering to all federal guidelines set in place for cultivating medicinal cannabis within the reservation boundaries," Joseph Mirelez, a spokesperson for the Sovereignty Medical Tribal Corporation, said in a press release.

"I am honored and humbled for the trust and confidence that Sovereignty Medical Tribal Corporation has put in Red Crow in becoming a true partner. It is a worthy calling to assist the tribe in exercising its sovereignty to bring tribally regulated, organic medicinal quality cannabis that medical professionals and families desperately need," added Rick Hill, a Red Crow partner who is a former chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. But a new Department of Justice policy could open the door to tribes that want to legalize the drug

The policy says state law will be considered in determining whether to enforce federal drug law in Indian Country. Medical marijuana is legal in California

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

Related Stories:
Measure reaffirms Navajo Nation policy against legal marijuana (3/5)
Lummi Nation leader moves ahead with tribal cannabis group (3/3)
Marijuana presented as another opportunity for Indian Country (3/2)
Former Sisseton Wahpeton chairman joins marijuana company (2/26)
Hoopa Valley Tribe places marijuana referendum on April ballot (2/26)
Opinion: Tribes get ready to discuss marijuana in Indian Country (2/25)
Bill for tribal marijuana agreements advancing in Washington (2/24)
Ray Cook: Indian Country should say yes to cultivation of hemp (2/23)
Menominee Nation leader wants to move quickly on marijuana (2/20)
Poarch Creeks bring up marijuana in Florida gaming deal talks (2/20)
Closed session at NCAI winter meeting to focus on marijuana (2/19)
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)