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Logical

(22,457 posts) Fri Dec 12, 2014, 09:06 PM Dec 2014

WOW.....Native American reservations now free to legalize marijuana [View all]

For decades, Native American reservations have been havens for the gambling industry in states with anti-casino legislatures. Can we count Big Pot in too?

The Justice Department said Thursday it will no longer prosecute federal laws regulating the growing or selling of marijuana on reservations, even when state law bans the drug.

Timothy Purdon, the U.S. attorney for North Dakota and the chairman of the attorney general’s subcommittee on Native American issues, explained to the Los Angeles Times that federal prosecutors will not enforce federal pot laws as long as reservations meet the same guidelines as states that have opted for legalization. He also said the federal government will continue to support any marijuana bans passed by tribal councils, even when the state allows recreational use.

In other words: The government will let tribal governments decide what to do about pot.

More at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/12/12/native-american-reservations-now-free-to-legalize-marijuana/

42 replies

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WOW.....Native American reservations now free to legalize marijuana [View all] Logical Dec 2014 OP

I have two Indian Reservations within an hour drive Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #1

15 minutes for me marle35 Dec 2014 #4

I would bet most of them will legalize Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #6

Good. Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #2

I knew you'd like this.. nice of the DOJ.. doncha think? Cha Dec 2014 #27

I think it's a very sensible move, and it recognizes several realities. Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #37

I know.. "nice" was me trying to be funny. I'm so glad Pot is moving forward to be legal.. like Cha Dec 2014 #39

Right On. Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #40

in wi state goons will continue to attack dembotoz Dec 2014 #3

I'm reading this as allowing tribes to choose to go with the existing states laws or enforce their Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #5

If the article in the OP is not explicit enough for you this should be... Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #7

Seems that it's not really clear.. Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #8

Yes, the guidelines of states that have legalized Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #9

What I am reading is a tribe in colorado can follow colorado's law. Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #11

Where are you reading that? Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #12

Tribes don't have a criminal code independent of the state in which they reside.. Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #16

Maybe there will be a legal battle, who knows Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #20

No the state will arrest them (where illegal) and send them to state prison Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #22

Well you better call the Washington Post and tell them they are wrong Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #26

lulz...nt Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #28

I think you are mistaken. States have very limited criminal jurisdiction on Indian land. Comrade Grumpy Dec 2014 #31

Heya grumpy! Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #42

LOL, it is clear...... Logical Dec 2014 #10

Public Law 280 Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #13

Have you always struggled admitting you are wrong? Or just here? nt Logical Dec 2014 #18

Are tribes or reservation lands exempt from the criminal laws in which they are located? Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #30

So the 405 news stories about this being a big deal are all wrong? nt Logical Dec 2014 #32

Here's one of the 400 for ya, that thought it through..., Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #33

I bet you in a year some of them are selling weed! Even in a state where it is not legal! Take.... Logical Dec 2014 #34

Oklahoma AKA "Native America" Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #35

More for ya Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #36

Actually, it sounds like that is the case. Warren DeMontague Dec 2014 #38

agreed..nt Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #41

Are Indian Casinos... H. Cromwell Dec 2014 #14

Yes, as long as the casino is located on a reservation Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #15

And the consumer was of legal drinking age as determined by the local jurisdiction and that sale of Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #17

According to media reports so far it does not have to be legal in the state Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #19

Spend ten minutes reading about tribal law vs. state law Jesus Malverde Dec 2014 #21

I don't trust the legal analysis of anyone who learned tribal law in 10 minutes Bjorn Against Dec 2014 #23

Best answer. The tribes are free to make their morningfog Dec 2014 #29

A brief guideline to tribal jurisdiction: Nevernose Dec 2014 #24

thank you, Justice Department! Cha Dec 2014 #25