A sign at the Pleasant Point Reservation in Maine. Photo from Facebook
The Passamaquoddy Tribe of Maine is looking to enter the marijuana industry. The tribe signed a letter of intent with Monarch America that could lead to the cultivation of marijuana on the reservation. The company said it is negotiating a consulting agreement to build and manage a grow facility. "Partnering with the Passamaquoddy Tribe to help create the first legal marijuana cultivation operation on sovereign tribal land in Maine would literally make Monarch America one of only a few coast-to-coast cannabis consulting and advisory businesses in the country," Eric Hagen, the CEO of Monarch America, said in a press release. Passamaquoddy leaders previously said they were interested in cultivating marijuana. The drug remains illegal under federal law but a new Department of Justice policy could open the door for tribes to grow the drug. Monarch America is already helping the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in South Dakota with marijuana development. The tribe plans to start selling the drug for medicinal and recreational purposes by the end of the year. The Passamquoddy Tribe is based at Pleasant Point and at Indian Township. Monarch's press release did not specify whether one community, or both, signed the letter of intent. Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
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