Warm Springs Tribes Vote to Launch Commercial Marijuana Farm and Stores

Tribal members who spoke to KTVZ on Thursday said they wanted the new economic opportunities of cannabis.

By Aaron Mesh

Warm Springs Weed is on the way.

Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs voted resoundingly Thursday to approve a commercial marijuana growing operation.

WW reported in March that the Warm Springs tribes, who live on land about 90 miles southeast of Portland, were considering whether to seize on new federal guidelines that allow tribes the same freedom as U.S. states to legalize marijuana.

Last month, Warm Springs Ventures—the tribes' business-development agency—revealed details of a plan to build a 36,000-square-foot greenhouse to grow "farm-to-table" cannabis, and open three stores to sell their crop around Bend and Portland. But the proposal required a vote open to all members of the tribes.

Bend television station KTVZ first reported the results of the Warm Springs vote. Representatives of Warm Springs Ventures have not returned WW's calls seeking comment.

Tribal members who spoke to KTVZ on Thursday said they wanted the new economic opportunities of cannabis.

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