Pubdate: Tue, 01 Jun 2010 Source: Helena Independent Record (MT) Copyright: 2010 Helena Independent Record Contact: http://helenair.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1187 Author: Robert Wynia SALISH MADE RIGHT MOVE Kudos to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes council and their direction on marijuana use on their sovereign Indian nation as reported in the May 13 IR. I suspect that other Indian nations will seek a similar path. The elders' statement that "The result was a consensus from the elders that marijuana has no cultural significance and that we, as a people, have other indigenous means to deal with pain" is clearly something that the state of Montana should use to re-evaluate the citizens initiative passed in 2004. We are obviously wandering down the wrong road with this issue, as evidenced by the sudden surge in people seeking marijuana since the Obama administration indicated it would not pursue the federal restriction on its use. Certainly not that many people were waiting with their health issues. The abuse of the system in California speaks for itself. Perhaps we should seek our U.S. representatives and senators from our tribal councils to help clean up some of the federal mess. Robert Wynia Helena - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D