Federal Government To Allow Native Americans To Grow And Sell Marijuana On Their Sovereign Lands
The Los Angeles Times reported on 12/11/2014 that the U.S. federal government will allow Native American tribes to grow and sell marijuana on their sovereign lands. (The term sovereign is used loosely because they still need permission from the U.S. government). The Department of Justice will instruct U.S. attorneys today not to prosecute Native Americans for growing and selling marijuana on their lands.
Native American tribes that do want to legally grow and sell marijuana must still abide by eight federal guidelines that include: marijuana cannot be sold to minors and cannot be transported to areas that prohibit it.
This is happening at a time when many U.S. states are legalizing marijuana because of its proven medicinal properties. This case may be a case where “What is good for the goose is not good for the gander.” Many tribes oppose the legalization of marijuana because of the terrible legacy of alcohol abuse that has undermined Native American communities.
Sabet, director of the Drug Policy Institute at the University of Florida, said, “Native Americans and their families suffer disproportionately from addiction compared to other groups. The last thing they want is another commercialized industry that targets them for greater use.”
Some tribes will likely ban the use of marijuana because of the history of alcohol abuse, and the U.S federal government will legally support those tribe’s decision.
Other tribes view the legalization marijuana growth and sales as a incredible source of revenue for their communities, as casino gambling and the sale of cigarettes are.
Tags: Benefits of Legalization Marijuana, marijuana legalization
