Pot Policy Splits Native Americans Over Whether Business Is Worth It
Havasupai Chairman Rex Tilousi recently sang for a crowd in Flagstaff, Ariz. He says his people have subsisted off of farming for generations, so growing and selling medicinal marijuana would be a good fit.
When it comes to marijuana laws, the Justice Department is now treating American Indian tribes the way it treats states that have legalized pot.
The move, announced in December, has inadvertently sparked interest in the marijuana business. While many see dollar signs, others worry about contributing to the impact substance abuse has already had on Indian Country.
Havasupai Tribe Chairman Rex Tilousi says he was relieved to hear the Justice Department was recognizing tribal sovereignty when it comes to marijuana. His tribe has grown and smoked marijuana plants for over a century near the Grand Canyon.
"I felt very free," he says. "I don't have to hide behind that rock. I don't have to go into those bushes to smoke."
The Havasupai make what little money they have by taking visitors on mule and helicopter to see their famous turquoise-blue waterfalls.
However, tourism is seasonal. Tilousi says having another economic source — like growing and selling medical marijuana — would help his people.
Since the Justice Department's memo was released, FoxBarry Farms has been inundated with more than a hundred calls from tribes that want to start growing operations.
"All tribes, generally speaking, want the same thing — and that's economic independence," says Barry Brautman, the president of FoxBarry, which helps tribes build casinos, hotels and, now, medical marijuana operations.
"They want housing, health care, education," he says. "They want to be able to fund those things themselves without having to ask for government's assistance."
A tiny northern California tribe, the Pinoleville Pomo Nation, will be the first to grow and manufacture medical marijuana. FoxBarry Farms is helping the tribe build a $10 million grow house. Brautman expects to recoup his company's investments and then some.
The Havasupai Reservation is best known for its waterfalls. Tourism is the tribe's main source of income.
Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly's spokesman, Deswood Tome, says he understands how lucrative pot could be, but also understands the drawbacks.
"This is opportunity for economic growth and jobs," he says. "But there are so many questions that remain as to the safety of people. How is it going to be controlled? Is this going to attract the criminal element?"
Jonnie Jay, who says she smoked pot years ago, says she's skeptical about what good a marijuana grow operation would bring her tribe.
"Somehow it would get corrupted and not be for what it was intended to be," she says. "So it is not a good idea for our tribe's economy, although we desperately need economic growth and opportunity."
Hopi leadership sees the earnings potential, but current tribal law still considers possession of marijuana a criminal act. Many throughout Indian Country worry legalized pot could lead to some of the same painful consequences as alcohol.
For its part, the Justice Department says the intent of the memo wasn't to motivate tribes to get into the marijuana business; it intended to prioritize laws against gangs and violence, driving while high and selling to minors, among other problems.
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Transcript
RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
Twenty-three states and Washington, D.C. have legalized marijuana for either medicinal or recreational use. Justice Department recently released a memo saying it would treat American Indian tribes the same way it treats states that have legalized pot. Several tribes now are looking to get into the marijuana business. While some see dollar signs, others worry about the destructive legacy alcohol and drugs have had on American Indians. From member station KJZZ, Laurel Morales reports from Flagstaff.
LAUREL MORALES, BYLINE: Below the rim of the Grand Canyon, the Havasupai Tribe has grown and smoked marijuana plants for over a century. Havasupai Chairman Rex Tilousi says he was relieved to hear the Justice Department was recognizing tribal sovereignty when it comes to marijuana.
REX TILOUSI: I felt very free. I don't have to hide behind that rock. I don't have to go into those bushes to smoke.
MORALES: The Havasupai make what little money they have taking visitors by mule and helicopter to see their famous turquoise-blue waterfalls. And tourism is seasonal. So, Tilousi says, to have another economic source like growing and selling medical marijuana would really benefit his people.
TILOUSI: And this is how things should be.
MORALES: Since the Justice Department's memo was released in December, FoxBarry Farms has been inundated with more than a hundred calls from tribes that want to start grow operations.
BARRY BRAUTMAN: All tribes, generally speaking, want the same thing and that's economic independence.
MORALES: FoxBarry President Barry Brautman helps tribes build casinos, hotels and now medical marijuana operations.
BRAUTMAN: A tribal government, just like any other government, wants economic opportunity for its members. They want housing, health care, education. They want to be able to fund those things themselves without having to ask for government assistance.
MORALES: A tiny northern California tribe, the Pinoleville Pomo Nation, will be the first to grow and manufacturer medical marijuana. FoxBarry Farms is helping the tribe build a $10 million growhouse. Brautman expects to recoup his company's investments and then some. Navajo Nation President Ben Shelly's spokesman, Deswood Tome, says he understands how lucrative pot could be.
BEN TOME: This is opportunity for economic growth and jobs.
MORALES: But Tome says it's not that simple.
TOME: But there are so many questions that remain as to the safety of people. How is it going to be controlled? Is this going to attract the criminal elements?
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
JONNIE JAY: Good afternoon. Welcome to Hopi. How are we doing out there? I'm Jonnie Jay. I'm from the village of Hotevilla. I'm one of the volunteer DJs on Hopi radio.
MORALES: Jonnie Jay introduces the bands at a recent Hopi reggae Festival. Jay smoked pot years ago and says she's skeptical about what good a marijuana grow operation would bring her tribe.
JAY: Somehow, it would get corrupted and not be for what it was intended to be. So it is not a good idea for our tribe's economy, although we desperately need economic growth and opportunity.
MORALES: Hopi leadership sees earnings potential, but current tribal law still considers possession of marijuana a criminal act. Many throughout Indian country worry that legalized pot could lead to some of the same painful consequences as alcohol. The Justice Department says the intent of the memo wasn't to motivate tribes to get into the marijuana business. It was meant to prioritize laws against gangs and violence, driving while high and selling to minors among other problems. For NPR News, I'm Laurel Morales in Flagstaff. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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