Pubdate: Fri, 12 Dec 2014
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2014 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.utsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.

U.S. WON'T STOP TRIBES FROM GROWING POT

Indian tribes can grow and sell marijuana on their lands as long as 
they follow the same federal conditions laid out for states that have 
legalized the drug, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday.

Some advocates said the announcement could open new markets across 
the country and give rise to a rich new business on reservations, not 
unlike the advent of casino gambling. Others said it was too early to 
tell; many tribes oppose legalization, and only a handful of tribes 
have expressed any interest in the marijuana business.

It's unclear whether the policy would be welcomed by San Diego 
County's 19 tribes, several of whom operate lucrative casinos and 
resorts. Those tribes might see little upside to branching off into a 
new industry that could be rife with potential problems.

Robert King, chairman of the wealthy Pala Band of Mission Indians, 
north of Escondido, said the idea might be appealing to poorer tribes 
who have plenty of land but few economic opportunities.

"It will be a tribe-by-tribe issue," he said. "I can't speak for 
other tribes, but it's a possibility when you're looking for revenue."

Smith said marijuana would bring with it many problems such as drug 
addiction and crime.

"Our tribe is against it," he said. "I'm going to recommend that we 
vote against it."

Several other tribes in the county did not return phone calls seeking 
comment Thursday.

The Justice Department announcement addresses questions raised by 
tribes about how the legalization of pot in states such as Oregon, 
Washington and Colorado would apply to Indian lands, said Oregon U.S. 
Attorney Amanda Marshall, who co-chaired a group that developed the policy.

She said only three tribes - including one in California - have 
expressed interest in growing and selling marijuana. She did not name them.

Marshall warned the announcement is not a green light to tribal 
authorities - and that marijuana is still illegal under federal law. 
The U.S. government's prosecution priorities involve pot-related gang 
activity, violence, sales to kids and trafficking, she said.

Problems could arise for tribes with lands in states that still 
outlaw marijuana, due to the likelihood that marijuana could be 
transported or sold outside tribal boundaries, she added.

Seattle attorney Anthony Broadman, whose firm represents tribal 
governments throughout the West, said the announcement represents a 
"potential for an enormous economic development tool.

"If tribes can balance all the potential social issues, it could be a 
really huge opportunity," Broadman said.

But those social issues are monumental.

"Indian tribes have been decimated by drug use," Broadman said. 
"Tribal regulations of pot are going to have to dovetail with tribal 
values, making sure marijuana isn't a scourge like alcohol or tobacco."

Staff writer J. Harry Jones contributed to this report.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom