Yakama Nation opposes marijuana on treaty ceded land

Monday, January 13, 2014  

The Yakama Nation of Washington is objecting to marijuana operations on 12 million acres of treaty-ceded territory.

Washington Initiative 502 authorizes the use and possession of marijuana in limited circumstances. But the drug remains illegal under federal law and the tribe says that covers lands ceded by the Yakama Treaty of 1855.

“We’re merely exercising what the treaty allows us to do, and that is prevent marijuana grows (and sales) on those lands,” Chairman Harry Smiskin told The Yakima Herald-Republic.

The tribe is filing more than 600 objections to marijuana operations on the ceded territory, along with those within reservation boundaries.

Get the Story:
Yakamas want to ban pot on 12 million acres of ceded land (The Yakima Herald-Republic 1/12)
Yakama tribe just says no to Washington state's legal pot market (The Los Angeles Times 12/21)

Tribes take a pass on Washington's recreational marijuana law (11/05)
Yakama Nation won't recognize marijuana law in Washington (10/29)
Gabe Galanda: State rules must recognize tribal sovereignty (10/7)