South Dakota – It has been announced by the Santee Sioux tribe that the United States’ first “Marijuana Resort” will be opening in South Dakota. The Department of Justice issued a statement claiming they will no longer prosecute Native American tribes for possessing or selling marijuana. Even still, The Free Thought Project reports that raids continue to be conducted on reservations.
The Santee Sioux leaders plan to grow their own pot and sell it at a smoking lounge that will include a nightclub, arcade games, bar and food service, and eventually, slot machines and an outdoor music venue.
“We want it to be an adult playground. There’s nowhere else in America that has something like this,” stated Anthony Reider, Santee Sioux tribal President.
Last June marijuana was legalized on the Santee Sioux land after the Justice Department outlined a new policy allowing Indian tribes to grow and sell marijuana in authorizing states. Many tribes are hesitant to get started in the pot business, but the profit potential is apparently starting to pique the interest of some. The experiment is considered a money-making model for tribes nationwide who are looking for economic opportunities outside of casinos.
There are still risks involved in the venture. Law enforcement agencies in South Dakota are strict on grow operations, and smaller tribes with similar plans have been raided by federal agents because they are not allowed to make an income. There’s also the possibility that the new administration in 2017 can overturn the Justice Department’s decision that made cultivation possible on tribal land.
Like most tribes that rely on casinos, the Santee Sioux tribe plan to use the income from their marijuana venture to invest in community services and provide tribal members a monthly income. According to Blake Trueblood, business development director at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development:
“The vast majority of tribes have little to no economic opportunity,” For those tribes, “this is something that you might look at and say, ‘We’ve got to do something’.”
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Sources:
Carcia Cano, Regina. Associated Press. Oct 1, 2015. (http://www.bigstory.ap.org/article/cd6d5d8f6a9147299ac57f5f2f75c7c3/us-tribe-open-nations-1st-marijuana-resort)
Vibes, John. The Free Thought Project. Sep 30, 2015. (http://thefreethoughtproject.com/native-american-tribe-south-dakota-establishing-nations-marijuana-resort/)
Count me in I’m coming and im all for supporting indigenous tribes that can show us a thing or two about life before agriculture and greed turned the human race into a hierarchal pig pen.
When is it supposed to open?
Good for them. It’s about time Native Americans got something back from this Country. That resort is about the only thing that would draw me to South Dakota! Good Job!