The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe hosts its annual wacipi, or powwow, from July 17-19. Photo from Facebook
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley claims non-Indians won't be able to use marijuana in Indian Country. Jackley told South Dakota Public Radio that marijuana is illegal under federal and state law. So even though the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe has legalized the drug for commercial, recreational and medicinal use, he believes non-Indians won't be able to go to the reservation to consume it. "Non-Indians are subjected to both federal and state law so any that any medical use in Flandreau would not be permitted for non-Indians," Jackley told the program. The tribe, however, plans to welcome everyone to the reservation. A dedicated facility will be set up by the end of the year for all consumers, Indian and non-Indian. Jackley did acknowledge that members of other tribes would not fall under state jurisdiction if they use marijuana at Flandreau. The tribe is the first in South Dakota to legalize the drug and adopt a comprehensive set of laws and policies to address its sale and use. Elsewhere in the state, drug laws remain extremely strict. The Department of Justice opened the door to legal marijuana in Indian Country with the 2014 Wilkinson memo. Get the Story:
SD Attorney General Explains Marijuana Jurisdiction (South Dakota Public Broadcasting 6/22) Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
Join the Conversation
Related Stories
Editorial: Marijuana won't help Flandreau Santee
Sioux Tribe (6/22) Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe to sell marijuana by end of year (6/17)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe moves forward with legal marijuana (6/16)
Umatilla Tribes change marijuana use policy for casino employees (6/15)
Tribes take interest in growing marijuana for medical purposes (6/11)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation faces prosecution over marijuana plants (6/5)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation starts planting marijuana on reservation (6/4)
Tex Hall foresees marijuana as big business for Indian Country (6/3)
Tex Hall joins company to promote marijuana in Indian Country (6/1)
Voters of Red Cliff Band show support for some uses of marijuana (5/28)
Appropriations bill allows VA hospitals to recommend marijuana (5/26)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe issues statement on marijuana (05/13)
Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe to launch marijuana business (5/12)
Washington governor signs tribal marijuana agreement bill (5/11)
Rob Williams: Marijuana generates a buzz in Indian Country (5/8)
Red Cliff Band asks voters about legal marijuana and hemp (5/8)
Interview with attorney about marijuana for tribes in Oklahoma (04/30)
Hoopa Valley Tribe maintains law against marijuana cultivation (4/29)
Workshop on tribal marijuana to be held in Wisconsin on June 4 (4/28)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe maintains strong stance on marijuana (4/28)
Youth of Hoopa Valley Tribe speak out against marijuana grows (4/27)
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe might be interested in growing hemp (4/27)
Brandon Ecoffey: Oglala Sioux Tribe must act on legal marijuana (4/24)
Marijuana seen as new frontier in tribal economic development (04/23)
Kashia Band interested in timber not marijuana on new lands (4/22)
Colville Tribes schedule June 13 referendum on legal marijuana (4/21)
Santa Rosa Band enters deal to grow marijuana on reservation (4/21)
St. Croix Band debate over marijuana leads to restraining order (4/20)
Lakota Country Times: Oglala Sioux district endorses marijuana (4/15)
Warm Springs Tribes consider marijuana as economic opportunity (04/09)
Walt Lamar: Tribes weigh big issues with marijuana cultivation (04/06)
Bill against legal marijuana advances in Navajo Nation Council (04/03)
Alex White Plume aims to grow hemp on Pine Ridge Reservation (03/30)
Law firm hosts tribes for session on marijuana in Indian Country (03/26)
Bill for tribal marijuana compacts up for hearing in Washington (3/25)
Opinion: Huge tax advantages for marijuana in Indian Country (3/23)
Pinoleville Pomo Nation marijuana farm appears to be on hold (3/20)
Ute Mountain Ute Tribe cites interest from marijuana industry (3/19)
Three tribes in Maine are latest to express interest in marijuana (3/16)
Keweenaw Bay Indian Community weighs marijuana referendum (3/16)
State laws remain an issue as tribes consider growing marijuana (3/13)
Tribal Hemp and Cannabis Summit set for April 23 in New Mexico (3/12)
Former leader of Hoopa Valley Tribe pushes action on marijuana (3/12)
Torres Martinez Tribe won't sell marijuana directly to consumers (3/12)
Opinion: High stakes in debate for marijuana in Indian Country (3/11)
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)
