Pubdate: Thu, 15 Jan 2015
Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA)
Copyright: 2015 The Press Democrat
Contact:  http://www.pressdemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348
Author: Glenda Anderson

UKIAH TRIBE TOUTS BENEFITS OF PROPOSED POT FARM

The Pinoleville Pomo Nation anticipates that its planned 2.5-acre 
medical marijuana facility outside Ukiah will generate jobs and 
revenue that will benefit its members, according to a statement 
issued by its chairwoman late Wednesday.

The tribe's cannabis cultivation operation - which includes a 
partnership with Colorado and Kansas-based corporations - will help 
pay for the tribe's social programs, including elder care, child 
care, health care and education, tribal Chairwoman Leona Williams said.

The tribe has about 250 members, including about 70 members who 
reside on the Rancheria property, which is comprised largely of 
individually owned parcels. The cannabis operation is expected to 
employ between 50 and 100 people, tribal representatives said earlier.

Williams' statement focused primarily on safety and legal issues. She 
said the tribe will establish oversight procedures that will ensure 
the cannabis cooperative is legal and secure and does not generate 
significant off-reservation impacts.

"The tribe will actively monitor and oversee the operation to ensure 
compliance with the law and any employee or other person found in 
violation of state law will be turned over to the local law 
enforcement to be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible," she stated.

The tribe first announced its plans for the 110,000-square-foot 
facility last week. It's believed to be the first large-scale 
cannabis production facility on Indian lands in California and 
possibly the country. U.S. Justice Department officials have declined 
to comment on the plan.

It's the first of three such facilities planned in California by 
United Cannabis and Fox Barry Farms. FoxBarry President Barry 
Brautman last week told The Press Democrat the greenhouses will be 
fenced and patrolled by security officers.

Growing inside will be thousands of brand-name pot plants developed 
by United Cannabis, a marijuana research and development company, 
Brautman said. FoxBarry has entered an agreement by which it is the 
exclusive distributor of United Cannabis products in California.

The facility is expected to be operational in February.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom