A view of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Photo from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe might be interested in growing hemp, Chairman Dave Archambault said. Hemp has a wide variety of commercial and industrial uses. Yet it remains illegal under federal law even though the plant does not share the same drug characteristics as marijuana, a close relative. But that could be changing under a new Department of Justice policy that could allow tribes to legalize marijuana and, by extension, hemp. The latter is already legal in North Dakota, where part of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation sits. "It seems likely that those memos would apply to hemp farming," Tim Purdon, the former U.S. Attorney from North Dakota, told the Associated Press of DOJ policy towards marijuana in states and in Indian Country. Robert Shepherd, the former chairman of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, supports marijuana and hemp in Indian Country. He serves as Tribal Relations Officer for Monarch America, a cannabis development firm. "It can really be an economic engine for the tribes," Shepherd told the AP. His tribe's reservation also extends into North Dakota. In February 2014, President Barack Obama signed H.R.2642, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, into law. The farm bill establishes a pilot program for colleges and state agencies to grow industrial hemp in states where the plant is already legal -- In addition to North Dakota, California, Oregon, Montana, Colorado and and Maine are included. Get the Story:
Hemp backers say bill gives momentum, especially for tribes (AP 4/26) Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
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