COMMITTEE HOLDS VIRTUAL LISTENING SESSION ON CANNABIS IN INDIAN COUNTRY

For Immediate Release

June 17, 2022

Contact:

Manu Tupper or Mike Inacay (Schatz) at press@indian.senate.gov

Committee Holds Virtual Listening Session On Cannabis In Indian Country

WASHINGTON – Today, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs staff held a virtual listening session titled, “Cannabis in Indian Country,” to seek comments from Tribal leaders, their designees, and other experts from Native communities on Tribal cannabis commerce and related equities. Comments collected from the listening session will inform the Committee’s current work and serve as a ready resource for the future as discussions around national cannabis reform legislation take shape.

The Committee will continue to accept additional written comments until July 22, 2022. Submit written comments here.

The listening session focused on hearing views on the following series of questions below:

1. Is your Tribe currently participating in the cannabis industry?  If so, please provide a brief description of your operation(s). 
2. For Tribes not currently participating in the cannabis industry, what are your main concerns about industry participation?
   1. What legislative solutions would you propose to address your concerns?
   2. What administrative solutions would you propose to address your concerns?   
3. For Tribes currently participating in the cannabis industry, what are the main issues you encounter as a Tribal operator?
   1. What legislative solutions would you propose to address your concerns?
   2. What administrative solutions would you propose to address your concerns?
4. If cannabis is decriminalized at the federal level, what Tribal-Federal-State framework would you propose to ensure Tribal interests are safeguarded?

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