The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has approved legislation exempting medical cannabis patients from possession of a controlled substance charges as long as they are in compliance under Oklahoma law, the Muskogee Phoenix reports.
Principal Chief David Hill called the reform “an excellent example of the Nation exercising its sovereignty to amend its criminal law to address public safety issues in the Mvskoke Reservation.”
“Furthermore, this is a pro-business action by the [Mvskoke Reservation Preservation Commission] and commitment to individuals and entities licensed in medical marijuana endeavors throughout the reservation.” – Hill to the Phoenix
The Commission plans to continue analyzing the medical cannabis issue to possibly allow sales on the reservation, including its authority to tax and regulate medical cannabis, and whether economic development activities exist for the tribe.
In May, the Red Lake Nation in Minnesota approved a medical cannabis program that goes beyond the state’s rules by allowing flower. Kevin Jones, a cannabis advocate who organized the Chippewa Cannabis Party, said following the vote that it the stage for the tribe to go “full recreational,” despite Minnesota not allowing adult-use sales.
In July, Lume Cannabis Company announced they had received an adult-use license for the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Chippewa County, Michigan. Joel Schultz, Sault Tribe economic development executive director, said the deal will help the tribe “diversify economic development to enhance revenues to expand services to Sault Tribe members.” Lume also has a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians for retail shops in Petoskey and Mackinaw City, which does not allow retail cannabis sales but has no control over tribal lands.
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