Indigenous

Indigenous and Native American tribes have stewarded the land in North America for countless generations. Today, Indigenous-owned cannabis and hemp brands are thriving in the industry despite regulatory obstacles including licensing issues, local restrictions, and more.

The Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians filed an application with Sonoma County, California officials to grow nearly 1,000 cannabis plants outdoors on land in Petaluma that it had previously considered for a casino.

The adult-use cannabis ordinance approved by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Council took effect yesterday, allowing the tribes to regulate the commercial cultivation, processing, and distribution of cannabis.

TILT Holdings is partnering with Long Island, New York’s Shinnecock Indian Nation to establish vertical cannabis operations on their tribal territory in the Hamptons.

Little Priest Tribal College is partnering with Doane University to offer seven online cannabis courses that will be part of the new Cannabis Studies associate degree program.

The Paiute Tribe of Utah is considering medical cannabis operations and held a private meeting with Republican Gov. Spencer Cox to determine how the state and tribes could work together.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is the first location in North Carolina to legalize the production and sale of medical cannabis after passing an ordinance last week.

The Tribal Council for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina approved the legalization of medical cannabis and the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis by adults aged 21 or older.

At least two New York Native American tribes — the Shinnecock Indian Nation and the Saint Regis Mohawks — are eyeing the state’s cannabis industry now that adult-use reforms have been approved.

The Crow Tribe in Montana approved a cannabis cultivation and sales ordinance last week. Montana voters approved adult-use legalization last year but progress has languished so far under elected state officials.

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe in New York has agreed to lease about 20 acres of tribal land to MMJ BioPharma Cultivation Inc. to grow cannabis that will be sold to researchers.

About 260,000 plants were destroyed and 30 tons of evidence confiscated last week during a police raid on a hemp farm accused of growing illicit cannabis on Navajo Nation land.

The FBI joined Navajo Nation Police and over a dozen other law enforcement agencies in a raid on the hemp operation owned by Dineh Benally. The raid is part of a unified investigation into reports of illegal cannabis cultivation, drug trafficking, and labor law violations.

The Northern Lights Cannabis Company has officially begun operations as the first tribal-owned cannabis business in Michigan.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma has adopted legislation exempting medical cannabis patients from drug possession charges so long as they are in compliance with state law.

The Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho has proposed amending its Tribal Code to allow for hemp cultivation, processing, and distribution.

Lume Cannabis Company in Michigan has partnered with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians to open a new retail cannabis dispensary on tribal lands.

The Red Lake Nation in Minnesota has approved sweeping medical cannabis reforms are much more lenient and inclusive than the state program.

Oklahoma’s Cherokee Nation has announced plans to study the potential ramifications of major cannabis and hemp policy reforms.

The first cannabis tasting lounge in Nevada, where patrons will be able to smoke, vape, and consume edibles, is set to open on sovereign Paiute Tribal Land.

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in South Dakota is suing the USDA for having failed to approve its proposed plan to regulate hemp production on tribal lands within the 60 days required under last year’s Farm Bill.