The Supreme Court granted gambling rights for Native American tribes on reservations and tribal lands in 1987. This opened the doors for casinos as burgeoning tribal profit centers. Now, 27 years later, the Justice Department has issued policy statements allowing Native American tribes to operate marijuana businesses on reservations and tribal lands.  The marijuana businesses may be like those in Colorado and Washington. Meaning those established for recreational use.  The grow and sell for profit model will be allowed even in states where marijuana is not legal.

Sioux Open Marijuana Resort

The South Dakota Indian tribe Santee Sioux, a small tribe of around 400, is set to take full advantage of the policy. Thy also have plan to open the first ever marijuana resort on January 1, 2016. A first in the U.S.

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Executive Committee issued these orders to legalize marijuana on for “possession, consumption, cultivation, and distribution of marijuana”  on June 11, 2015.  The tribe already have an impressive portfolio of businesses, including a casino, hotel and buffalo ranch. They are now adding what tribal President Anthony Reider is calling “an adult playground” to the mix. The tribe hopes to garner around $2 million in profit, per month.

Security measures are in place at the South Dakota grow house, where a Colorado company has been retained to ensure quality product and advise on the tribe’s long term cultivation strategy.  All will be forbidden from leaving the resort or tribal lands with marijuana and a barcoding system will strictly monitor each gram of product being sold at the resort, which will be in limited quantities.  The “adult playground” resort plans to have a lounge, nightclub, and food and drink service.

Community services like day care and after school programs are the target for tribal income. The pot resort goal is to be of economic benefit for the long term and help the tribe prosper.

Associated Press