Former leader of Hoopa Valley Tribe pushes action on marijuana


A view of the Hoopa Valley Reservation in northern California. Photo from Facebook

A former leader of the Hoopa Valley Tribe is spearheading the effort that could lead to cultivation of marijuana on the reservation in northern California.

Tribal law currently bars the cultivation of marijuana. But Clifford Lyle Marshall collected enough signatures to put a repeal of Title 34 on the April 28 ballot.

Marshall told The Lost Coast Outpost he was confident that the measure would pass. He held a meeting last night to discuss marijuana issues on the reservation.

“We had our first organizational meeting, and it was fairly small,” Marshall told the Outpost. “But we had some important people come. We have to look at this from the perspective of what the tribe is thinking, and we got some good perspective last night.”

The tribe hasn't taken an official stance for or against the repeal. But some are concerned because the reservation has been affected by illegal marijuana farms that contribute to environmental waste.

Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. A new Department of Justice policy could open the door for tribes to grow the drug.

Get the Story:
Hoopa Valley Tribe Will Vote Whether to Repeal Marijuana Prohibition on Tribal Lands Next Month (The Lost Coast Outpost 3/11)

Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)

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