Warm Springs Tribes Will Vote Next Month on Commercial Marijuana Operation

One of Oregon's native tribes will vote next month whether to start growing and selling marijuana.

WW reported in March that the Warm Springs tribes, who live on land about 90 miles southeast of Portland, were exploring commercial marijuana.

Former Gov. Ted Kulongoski, who serves on the Warm Springs tribes' economic development board, and tribal board member Pi-Ta Pitt launched an evaluation of whether a commercial growing operation is something the tribes should try.

Those plans are now more substantive.

The Bend Bulletin reported Tuesday that the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs will vote Dec. 17 whether to build a 36,000-square-foot greenhouse to grow weed, and open three stores to sell their crop around Bend and Portland.

The Bulletin reports:

The full story is well worth reading: It explains how, if members vote yes, the Warm Springs tribes would partner with venture capitalists from Orlando, Fla.

The legal status of tribal cannabis appears promising.

The federal government issued a memo in December telling tribes they'd be treated the same as states when it comes to marijuana enforcement. Last week, Squaxin Island Tribe near Olympia, Wash., opened the first tribal pot store. (It's called Elevation Recreation.)

But earlier this month in South Dakota, the Santee Sioux Tribal Council set fire to its commercial marijuana crop after learning it was under scrutiny from state officials.

Willamette Week