MSN - US won't stop Native Americans from growing, selling pot on their lands [View all]

[Algernon Moncrieff]

Complete article at: http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-wont-stop-native-americans-from-growing-selling-pot-on-their-lands/ar-BBgEnYB

WASHINGTON — 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. Many tribes are opposed to legalizing pot on their lands, and federal officials will continue to enforce the law in those areas, if requested.

Representatives for several of the largest tribes could not be reached for comment.