Editor's Note: Wow. I'm actually shocked by this news. And while I am in favor of any policies that allow for personal liberties around the use and sale of marijuana, I have to admit, I'm a bit confused. The federal government is allowing this, but may be overturning legalization of possession and home cultivation of marijuana in D.C., as was passed by voters Nov. 4, by a margin of almost 40% (70% for; 30% opposed)? (And will be most certainly be prohibiting development of a regulated and taxed marketplace for marijuana in the nation's capital.) If anyone has insights on why this policy makes sense, please share them.
A quick summary: "…the Justice Department will generally not attempt to enforce federal marijuana laws on federally recognized tribes that choose to allow it, as long as they meet eight federal guidelines, including that marijuana not be sold to minors and not be transported to areas that prohibit it."
Opening the door for what could be a lucrative and controversial new industry on some Native American reservations, the Justice Department on Thursday will tell U.S. attorneys to not prevent tribes from growing or selling marijuana on the sovereign lands, even in states that ban the practice.
The new guidance, released in a memorandum, will be implemented on a case-by-case basis and tribes must still follow federal guidelines, said Timothy Purdon, the U.S. attorney for North Dakota and the chairman of the Attorney General's Subcommittee on Native American Issues.
It remains to be seen how many reservations will take advantage of the policy.
