Tribes Should Vote Against Marijuana Legalization

According to an article in last week's Glasgow Courier, the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribal Council legalized medical marijuana, and tribal members will vote on the legalization of recreational marijuana in October. These decisions are reportedly consistent with the Obama administration's policy of allowing Native American tribes to regulate marijuana use on reservations (sovereign nations). However, the practice of growing and smoking marijuana merits further consideration with regards to Fort Peck's tribal goals and history.

Historically, tribal members were warriors and nomadic hunters. Bison were available for killing and provided nutritious food. Because of the historical importance of bison to Indian culture and survival, tribal councils, many activists and some politicians advocate the reintroduction of wild bison onto the reservations. Those supporting bison reintroduction claim that it is important for young people to establish and maintain ties to their cultural past.

In addition to bison, the Fort Peck Tribes, like other nonagricultural plains people, also ate a considerable amount of vegetable food, usually mixed with meat. Camas, Indian bread-root, berries, inner bark of trees, and other species supplied nutritious food during specific seasons. Hundreds of species of plants were also used for the production of dyes and perfumes, manufacture of weapons, construction materials and other uses. To date, tribal councils have shown minimal interest in protecting, enhancing and promoting native plant species. In contrast, they promote marijuana, a non-native species that was introduced to the North American continent from Asia.

It is ironic that the tribal council promotes marijuana usage. Sadly, the importance of “youth finding and connecting with the old ways and customs” was not discussed during the recent council meetings. While marijuana did not impact cultural heritage or historical survival, clearly its “production and increased marketability” on the Reservation is likely to increase societal disorders and problems. Economic costs of addressing these issues will be shared by tax-paying members of the sovereign nation and other tax-paying citizens of the United States. Apparently the tribal council's decisions were dominated by hypocrisy and greed. Wow! Some leadership!

I can hardly wait to see what happens as an encore with the Fort Peck Reservation. Hopefully, tribal members will “see through the smoke,” rescind the legalization of medicinal uses, and vote against further legalization of marijuana.

John Lacey lives in rural Glasgow.