Marijuana remains illegal under federal law and, by extension, in Indian Country. But tribes in Washington have not faced any enforcement actions in a place where cannabis has been legal under state law since 2012. Tribes like Tulalip have signed marijuana compacts with the state to address regulatory and other issues. The model has been replicated in Nevada, where tribes have not faced enforcement actions either. Elsewhere the situation has been cloudy. Tribes in California, South Dakota and Wisconsin have been raided, or threatened with raids, for trying to grow, manufacture and sell marijuana or hemp on their homelands. A bill in Congress seeks to resolve those uncertainties. The Strengthening the Tenth Amendment Through Entrusting States Act, also known as the STATES Act, recognizes tribal and state sovereignty when it comes to marijuana and hemp. President Donald Trump has said he "probably will end up supporting" the bill, introduced as S.3032 in the Senate and H.R.6043. in the House. Read More on the Story:
Remedy Tulalip cannabis shop opens: Tulalip-owned enterprise one of 1st in Indian Country in the U.S. (The Marysville Globe August 10, 2018)
Tulalip Tribes opening marijuana store on reservation (The Everett Herald August 9, 2018) Obama-Era Guidance [Since Rescinded]:
Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country (October 2014)
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