The Tribal Marijuana Conference was held on the Tulalip Reservation in Washington on February 27, 2015. Photo by Chris Stearns / Twitter
Seattle Times columnist Mark Higgins calls on the state of Washington to partner with tribes in the budding marijuana industry:
Some of this state’s most business-savvy Native American tribes are evaluating the risks and opportunity to grow or sell marijuana, as well as the relatively untapped potential in medical-marijuana research. The tribe that patents the first major breakthroughs in using marijuana extracts to treat cancer patients or other chronic ailments could hit the mother lode in pharmaceutical revenue. What all this means for Washington is that, in time, tribes could be a major influence in legalized marijuana. They have the capital and business acumen to grow the market while keeping prices competitive, something that will appeal to some medical-marijuana patients and perhaps put a dent in the black market. It was the U.S. Department of Justice that opened the door to tribes. While again reminding us that marijuana is illegal, the DOJ recently announced that federally recognized tribes can grow, process or sell pot on tribal land. If they do so, the DOJ warned, they had better enforce robust regulations and keep it out of the hands of minors and prevent the revenue from reaching organized crime. With millions of dollars already being spent on recreational pot, it was only a matter of time before the tribes asserted their right to enter the market. After all, they have compacts with this state on gambling, tobacco, liquor and gasoline.Get the Story:
Mark Higgins: State should partner with tribes on legalized marijuana (The Seattle Times 3/4) Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
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