A cannabis plant. Photo from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via Wikipedia
Federal authorities in Wisconsin are warning the St. Croix Chippewa Tribe not to get into the marijuana business. The tribe plans to convert a vacant fish hatchery into a cannabis oil plant, The Washburn County Register reported. The goal is to take advantage of a change in state law that allows the use of the oil for medical purposes. But marijuana remains illegal under federal law. U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil said he met with tribal leaders last year at the hatchery and warned them about the effort. "Growing marijuana or processing it will lead to federal prosecution and enforcement action," Vaudreuil told the paper. "If we are going to end up in litigation with the tribe, OK, let’s go to litigation. But let’s not do it with somebody in jail.” The Department of Justice issued a policy in October 2014 that seemingly opened the door for legal marijuana in Indian Country. But federal and state authorities have taken enforcements against a number of tribes -- including the Menominee Nation in Wisconsin -- that have tried to grow the drug. In the case of the Menominees, it was the plant's harmless hemp relative. Only a handful of tribes -- all in Washington state, where the drug is legal for recreational use -- have successfully entered the industry. Get the Story:
Gambling on weed (The Washburn County Register 6/24) Relevant Documents:
Department of Justice Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
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