Are Indian tribes going to miss a golden opportunity due to fear of the Gov?

[japanese steel]

Recently the DOJ released a statement claiming that they will not interfere with tribes growing and selling weed legally as long as they follow the same guidelines set by Colorado and other states.

http://news.yahoo.com/doj-says-tribes-decide-whether-legalize-pot-204449043.html

I currently live on a reservation and very close to many others and from what I have seen and heard, they all appear to be completely terrified to even make a move on this statement. The rez I live on is currently looking into industrial hemp instead of medical or recreational, which is stupid because hemp is illegal in the US, so where the hell are they going to export it to?

The overall feeling I get is that the tribes are terrified of losing their federal funding and are too scared to pursue it. In my eyes, if done properly, this could easily lift the tribe out of poverty and create a bunch jobs for a place with about 80% un-employment.

What say you WR? Should the tribes just pussy foot around or go for broke on full legalization?

IMO, this is a Willy Wonka golden ticket. Take it and run with it.

 

[MicroBrew]

Run with it. Grow and export weed since people outside the Rez are doing it. Work with the Feds to see if you can start industrial Hemp production.

 

[japanese steel]

I wish I could directly be involved in this matter but I'm not a tribal member so I can't do shit but watch and comment from the outside.

 

[mantronix]

Cultivating hemp would be great if they could process it further into consumer products. It would be great to get some hemp clothing that doesn't look like ass. Levi's jeans used to be made out of hemp, bring it back Native Americans.

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

Yes, they are missing an opportunity if they don't hop on this trend now. They should also be setting up brothels to go with their casinos.

 

[jeffk]

I should read the article before commenting but only got a minute.

To do it right it would cost a good deal of money and they may feel that the next administration may reverse this decision, so they could sink a lot of money to get an operation going and then lose it all with changes in an election. Hell, Huckabee is talking crap that Obama lets his daughters listen to Beyonce and people like him have followers.

It may be a golden ticket but there are risks involved that you may not see.

 

[japanese steel]

Cultivating hemp would be great if they could process it further into consumer products. It would be great to get some hemp clothing that doesn't look like ass. Levi's jeans used to be made out of hemp, bring it back Native Americans.

Agreed. I would love to see more use of hemp products but it seems like to me that the hemp market in this country is very small, due to the illegality of growing it, and for tribes to pursue the hemp angle only is a waste of time and simply not standing up for themselves as sovereign nations.

1. Grow weed
2. Sell weed
3. ?????
4. Get rich biatch.

Simple

 

[japanese steel]

IMHO, the problem with most of these tribes making advancements is that there are way too many out of touch elders who run the whole show and they show no initiative of getting the younger generations involved in being a part of it. Lest it threaten their position.

Tribal politics is exactly the same as our feds. Corrupt as all hell because a bunch of old schoolers are trying to cling to their meager power.

 

[Der Eisbär]

As bad as weed being illegal is, I cannot fathom the leviathan stupidity that is hemp being illegal. I just cant even fucking begin to comprehend how stupid a law that is.

 

[japanese steel]

As bad as weed being illegal is, I cannot fathom the leviathan stupidity that is hemp being illegal. I just cant even fucking begin to comprehend how stupid a law that is.

It's simple. Hemp has tons of great uses but unfortunately it also causes competition in many areas. That can not be allowed to happen. Competition is bad for business.

 

[spamking]

Recently the DOJ released a statement claiming that they will not interfere with tribes growing and selling weed legally as long as they follow the same guidelines set by Colorado and other states.

http://news.yahoo.com/doj-says-tribes-decide-whether-legalize-pot-204449043.html

I currently live on a reservation and very close to many others and from what I have seen and heard, they all appear to be completely terrified to even make a move on this statement. The rez I live on is currently looking into industrial hemp instead of medical or recreational, which is stupid because hemp is illegal in the US, so where the hell are they going to export it to?

The overall feeling I get is that the tribes are terrified of losing their federal funding and are too scared to pursue it. In my eyes, if done properly, this could easily lift the tribe out of poverty and create a bunch jobs for a place with about 80% un-employment.

What say you WR? Should the tribes just pussy foot around or go for broke on full legalization?

IMO, this is a Willy Wonka golden ticket. Take it and run with it.

How would a sovereign nation (Indian tribes) lose their funding if they pursued something like this?

Does it violate their treaties with the US or something?

 

[japanese steel]

How would a sovereign nation (Indian tribes) lose their funding if they pursued something like this?

Does it violate their treaties with the US or something?

They shouldn't. Not right away at least. Providing federal funding is part of the treaties but the relationship between the gov and the tribes is extremely fucked up. Congress supposedly supports self sustainability but are constantly hassling tribes whenever they make attempts to do just that. The government pretty much shits all over the parts of the treaties they don't like and are constantly trying to take away tribes sovereignty. And since weed is still federally illegal they could just claim that the tribes are breaking the rules and just take away their funding and recognition as a tribe. It is stupidly complex and retarded.

If the tribes do go through with legalization, it could be taxed and used to fund their operations and if they start making enough the gov should slowly lower some of the funding and just maybe the tribes can develop some decent economies and be able to provide for themselves.

The federal funding comes with a shit load of bullshit strings attached that just hamper tribes and make them become too reliable on the gov teat. Most tribes would like to move away from that control by Congress.

 

[spamking]

They shouldn't. Not right away at least. Providing federal funding is part of the treaties but the relationship between the gov and the tribes is extremely fucked up. Congress supposedly supports self sustainability but are constantly hassling tribes whenever they make attempts to do just that.

I think the tribes are doing just fine with their gaming compacts and the revenue their casinos and other tribal ventures are bringing in. I can think of a few tribes who are powerful enough to do something regardless of whether the Feds "support" them.

How are you seeing the Feds hassling this particular tribe?

If the tribes do go through with legalization, it could be taxed and used to fund their operations and if they start making enough the gov should slowly lower some of the funding and just maybe the tribes can develop some decent economies and be able to provide for themselves.

I'm not certain, I don't believe the funding levels will ever be dropped. I work for a Federal program that provides services to the tribes and anytime there is an unfunded mandate our program more often than not takes the financial hit and the tribes don't.

The federal funding comes with a shit load of bullshit strings attached that just hamper tribes and make them become too reliable on the gov teat. Most tribes would like to move away from that control by Congress.

What strings? Over the last 20 years working with tribes and tribal programs I've only known of a handful actually lose funding for any reason. And that was because the tribal folks just completely ignored reporting requirements.

Mismanagement and nepotism is rampant in many tribal governments and is the cause (IMO) of more issues for the tribal members than any strings attached to Federal funding.

But all of my experience has nothing to do with the legalization of pot and manufacturing of pot products on tribal land. I think the closest I've ever seen involved a tribal tobacco plant and taxed or untaxed cigarettes.

 

[irish_thug]

That seems odd. If you've got a legal revenue stream why not use it?

 

[japanese steel]

I think the tribes are doing just fine with their gaming compacts and the revenue their casinos and other tribal ventures are bringing in. I can think of a few tribes who are powerful enough to do something regardless of whether the Feds "support" them.

The small tribes with only a few thousand members that are near big cities are doing fine with their casinos and such. It is the large nations with many members that are struggling. A tiny casino in the middle of nowhere is hardly helping them.

How are you seeing the Feds hassling this particular tribe?

Not this particular tribe but others around the country.

I'm not certain, I don't believe the funding levels will ever be dropped. I work for a Federal program that provides services to the tribes and anytime there is an unfunded mandate our program more often than not takes the financial hit and the tribes don't.

Some of the funding should stay but there needs to be a cooperative effort between both parties to become self sustaining and then the tribes could become more independent and not have to be so controlled by Congress.

Do you know what plenary power is?

What strings? Over the last 20 years working with tribes and tribal programs I've only known of a handful actually lose funding for any reason. And that was because the tribal folks just completely ignored reporting requirements.

Congress pretty much has complete control over all tribal matters in this country. Tribes can't do shit without Congress approval. Does that sound like a sovereign nation to you? The deal between tribes and the gov is shady as fuck and needs to be addressed and fixed.

Mismanagement and nepotism is rampant in many tribal governments and is the cause (IMO) of more issues for the tribal members than any strings attached to Federal funding.

You are right on that account but having Congress and the BIA constantly butting their nose in tribal business doesn't help either. Fuck the BIA.

 

[japanese steel]

That seems odd. If you've got a legal revenue stream why not use it?

I think it is because tribes have a huge mistrust in the gov and their "word" and they rightfully should. They could easily claim that since weed is federally illegal, the tribes are breaking the rules and then they could potentially take away all federal funding and their tribal recognition. They have done it before and I have no doubt they would do it again.

The gov simply does not like tribal sovereignty. Especially a bunch of state govs.

 

[AlucardNatasrd]

"Jeez guys, you know what fiber I need in my clothing?

Hemp!"

Said no one...ever.*

*Excluding hippies.

I mean seriously: What's the big hype over hemp? We have cotton, wool, silk, and various synthetics.

 

[japanese steel]

"Jeez guys, you know what fiber I need in my clothing?

Hemp!"

Said no one...ever.*

*Excluding hippies.

I mean seriously: What's the big hype over hemp? We have cotton, wool, silk, and various synthetics.

http://www.informationdistillery.com/hemp.htm

Clearly it is not just for clothing. It is one of if not the most versatile plant in the world.

 

[second sight]

are you sure it's fear of the government, seems to be a motivation problem in many reservations

 

[Like A Bas]

It's simple. Hemp has tons of great uses but unfortunately it also causes competition in many areas. That can not be allowed to happen. Competition is bad for business.

While this was probably true in the early 1900's, I don't think it would be true today. Maybe somebody with a better understanding of the economy & industry can weigh in here, but there appears to be plenty of room for industrial hemp. I think it's mostly just a relic of a law that is doing nobody any good.