Pubdate: Thu, 24 Sep 2015
Source: La Crosse Tribune (WI)
Copyright: 2015 The La Crosse Tribune
Contact: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/app/forms/sendletter/
Website: http://www.lacrossetribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/229
Author: Cassie Colson, Jackson County Chronicle

HO-CHUNK NATION LOOKS TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

The Ho-Chunk Nation may look to legalize marijuana on its tribal lands.

The tribe's electorate voted in favor of the move at a Saturday 
General Council meeting by a 2-1 margin. Votes at the annual meeting 
of tribal members are not binding, and the tribe now is studying the 
legal implications of the possible policy change.

"The vote overturns previous policy refusing to legalize marijuana. 
During the session, tribal members spoke of the health benefits and 
that drug addiction already a problem in the communities," said 
Collin Price, the tribe's public relations officer.

"The resolution passed does not legalize marijuana or the sale of 
marijuana on tribal lands. Ho-Chunk Nation officials and attorneys 
are researching the legal implications."

A total of 1,607 Ho-Chunk Nation members 18 and older cast votes on 
the resolution at the meeting held in Madison. Sixty-three percent 
(1,013) voted in favor of legalizing marijuana, just under 34 percent 
(544) voted no and another 3.1 percent (50) abstained.

The tribe's vote comes after an October 2014 memo released by the 
U.S. Department of Justice that said federal authorities should look 
to work with Native American tribes that look to legalize marijuana. 
The memo did caution, however, that enforcement would remain a top 
priority in eight scenarios, including distribution to minors and 
cases of operating under the influence.

The Menominee tribe in northeast Wisconsin earlier this year voted in 
favor of the possibility of legalizing marijuana for recreational and 
medicinal use on its reservation near Shawano.

Price said the tribe's leadership will provide additional information 
in light of the vote in the coming weeks.

"With it being so soon after the resolution, we haven't had time to 
discuss this in great detail," he said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom