Pubdate: Tue, 10 Nov 2015
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2015 Associated Press
Contact: 
http://www.staradvertiser.com/info/Star-Advertiser_Letter_to_the_Editor.html
Website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5154

POSSIBLE RAID PROMPTS TRIBE TO DESTROY POT CROP

FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) - A South Dakota American Indian tribe that 
sought to open the nation's first marijuana resort burned its crop 
after federal officials signaled a potential raid, the tribal 
president said Monday.

Flandreau Santee Sioux President Anthony Reider said the tribe had 
three weeks of discussions with authorities that culminated with a 
meeting in Washington that included a Justice Department official and 
U.S. Attorney for South Dakota Randolph Seiler.

Reider said the tribe wasn't told a raid was imminent - only that one 
was possible if the government's concerns weren't addressed. He said 
the main holdup is whether the tribe can sell marijuana to 
non-Indians, along with the origin of the seeds used for its crop.

Wyn Hornbuckle, a Justice Department spokesman, declined to comment 
on specific discussions that may have taken place with tribes. 
Hornbuckle said U.S. attorneys have been directed to assess the 
threats and circumstances in their districts and consult closely with 
tribal partners and the Justice Department.

A spokeswoman for Seiler said he would have no comment.

The tribe had planned to open a lounge selling marijuana on New 
Year's Eve. It was the first tribe in South Dakota to legalize the 
drug following the U.S. Department of Justice's decision last year to 
allow tribes to do so on tribal land.

Reider said the tribe made the decision Friday to destroy its 
marijuana and burned it Saturday. He said tribal officials wanted to 
avoid a raid that might have damaged equipment or the facility but 
also wanted to demonstrate good faith as it continues conversations 
with officials in hopes of resuming the project.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom