Some gaming tribes are contemplating the possibility that marijuana sales might be the new “white buffalo,” as gaming has been since 1987.
James Billie, former chief of the Seminole, has compared pot growing to bingo. He heads MCW, which provides financing and legal counsel to tribes that want to explore pot growing.
Medical marijuana, now legal in most states, and recreational marijuana, legal in eight states, could boost marijuana into a $21 billion industry by 2020.
Three years ago, the Obama Justice Department told tribes that it wouldn’t interfere with growing marijuana on reservations. The Trump Justice Department has yet to confirm that stance.
Tribes will also not be subject to state taxes for such farming and will also pay fewer federal taxes. This will make them very competitive against non-Indian distributors. This is similar to the advantage tribes enjoy in selling tobacco products.
Growing marijuana could accrue profits to tribal governments, but not individual, just a gaming doesn’t profit individual tribal members, unless they are paid dividends from a casino. There are no individual property rights on the reservation.
This creates an ironic situation for tribes, many of which are fighting what they perceive as a losing battle against drug addiction among young people.
