Jacob Sullum on Cannabusiness Opportunities in Indian Country
Last December the Justice Department gave a yellow light to marijuana legalization on tribal land, saying it would treat reservations like states in deciding how to enforce the Controlled Substances Act. Two months later, the very first Tribal Marijuana Conference, held at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Washington,attracted about 250 people, including representatives from 75 or so Indian tribes.
"A great deal more are considering this than I thought would be considering it," Ken Meshigaud, chairman of the Hannahville Indian Community in Michigan, told the Associated Press. "From an economic standpoint, it may be a good venture the tribes can get into." Jacob Sullum reports that Indian tribes are uniquely positioned to profit from the erosion of marijuana prohibition, although they still face some daunting legal pitfalls.