Kansas Tribes Take Cautious Approach to Marijuana

Some northeast Kansas American Indian tribes say they need more information before making a decision on whether to grow and sell marijuana on tribal land after the federal government said it wouldn’t interfere with those who do.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Kickapoo Tribe spokesman Fred Thomas says he doesn’t see how legalizing marijuana on the reservation would benefit his tribe. Alan Kelley of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska says he sees no need for it, either.

Earlier this month the U.S. Department of Justice said Indian tribes can grow and sell marijuana on their lands as long as they follow the same federal conditions laid out for states that have legalized the drug.

But tribes have been taking a cautious approach as many questions remain unanswered.