![](https://www.indianz.com/News/2015/03/02/marijuana022715.jpg)
The Tribal Marijuana Conference was held on the Tulalip Reservation in Washington on February 27, 2015. Photo by Chris Stearns / Twitter
Writer doesn't believe New York will benefit from the establishment of a marijuana industry in Indian Country:
A few weeks ago, some 75 tribal leaders from across the country met to discuss forming the first "Tribal Cannabis Association" at the Tulalip Resort Casino on the Tulalip Reservation in Washington State. The conference was organized by Robert Odawi Porter of Odawi Law PLLC, a former President of the Seneca Nation of New York and by Washington state cannabis business attorneys Hilary Bricken and Robert McVay. Porter was a leading figure and Seneca Nation lobbyist during the casino gaming giveaway, and his status as organizer of the conference is troubling. "This issue was a historic moment for the United States and what the Justice Department did was to invite Indian country to have a historical moment. No different than any other major decision our ancestors have had to make," Porter said. "Tribal leaders are now going to have the same opportunity to think through whether legalizing marijuana was a good thing. I'm hopeful that today's event was part of a beginning process of providing quality information and informing leadership, informing their employers and other staff and community members and hopefully continue that process in the coming days and weeks." Porter was referring to a memo issued by the Department of Justice in October 28, 2014 instructing all U.S. Attorneys to not pursue prosecution of federally-recognized tribes that chose to legalize and regulate marijuana if they meet priorities laid out in a memorandum issued by the Attorney General's office in 2013. These include things like preventing distribution of marijuana to minors and preventing revenue of sale of marijuana to criminal enterprises. A keynote speaker at a "Tribal Marijuana Conference," also organized by Porter and held prior to the cannabis legalization event, was former U.S. Attorney Troy Eid, present chair of President Barack Obama's National Indian Law and Order Commission. The stakes in this new game are that high.Get the Story:
Mike Hudson: Native American Marijuana Production A Bad Bet for Niagara County Taxpayers (The Niagara Falls Reporter 3/10)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Jacqueline Keeler: Tribes showing interest in
growing marijuana (3/10) Interview: Allyson Doctor on National Indian Cannabis Coalition (3/10)
Workshop on tribal marijuana to be held in California next month (3/9)
Tribes in Wisconsin discuss marijuana with federal prosecutors (3/9)
Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Tribe launches marijuana project (3/5)
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)