Shinnecock Indian Nation Considering Starting Medical Marijuana Program

The Shinnecock Indian Nation is considering possibly producing medical marijuana on the land in conjunction with state and federal laws.

“Since the Compassionate Care Act became law last year, our tribal leaders – like many others - have sought counsel from the U.S. Department of Justice and the State of New York on what this means for a sovereign nation like ours,” Tribal Trustee Chairman Bryan Polite said in a statement.

Last year, the Cole Memorandum was created as a guide for Indian tribes that want to produce medical marijuana in states where medical marijuana has been legalized.

According to the memo, some tribes have ”requested guidance” on the enforcement of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) on tribal lands by the United States Attorneys’ offices. 

The tribes would have to follow certain restrictions including distributing marijuana to minors; selling to criminal enterprises, gangs, and cartels; using state-authorized marijuana in the trafficking other illegal drugs or illegal activity; growing of marijuana on public lands; and preventing marijuana possession or use on federal property, among other restrictions according to the memo.

“The eight priorities in the Cole Memorandum will guide United States Attorneys’ marijuana enforcement efforts in Indian Country, including in the event that sovereign Indian Nations seek to legalize the cultivation or use of marijuana in Indian Country,” the memo reads.

The Shinnecock Nation has not yet reached a decision on whether or not to produce medical marijuana and will not make one without the “input and approval of the Shinnecock Indian Nation membership,” according to Polite.

“We are continuing to gather information as part of that exploratory process,” he said in the statement. “The Shinnecock Indian Nation is constantly exploring various economic development initiatives that could help improve the lives of our members.”