How the legalization of weed in Washington affects Native tribes
The state of Washington in United States legalized marijuana in 2012. Since then, many residents of Washington have tried to take part in the "green rush" of the legal weed industry. But Native American tribes aren't subject to state law, which means that they get to decide independently whether or not to legalize marijuana on their territory.
According to Lael Echo-Hawk, a lawyer from the National Indian Cannabis Coalition, there are 29 Native tribes in Washington state, but only three of those tribes entered into an agreement with the state of Washington that outline how the tribe will enter the cannabis industry.
The Suquamish Tribe is among those three. Calvin Medina, store manager for Agate Dreams marijuana retail shop on the Suquamish land, said that the main benefit from legalization is tax revenue. But he also sees other benefits. "If there's something that's a danger to Indian country, it's definitely alcohol. So I feel like I'm a better person consuming marijuana, compared to the old Calvin, who may be consuming alcohol on a regular basis. If we can de-stigmatize marijuana, then maybe lives can improve and moods can improve as well."
But only 20 minutes from Calvin's reservation, there's the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. Port Gamble is a poorer place with higher poverty and unemployment rates than the rest of the state. So you'd think that Calvin's arguments would work there. But as Jeromy Sullivan, chairman of the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribal Council explained, the community is divided on the question of legal weed. Some people are worried about youth having more access to marijuana; others wish to take advantage of the medicinal benefits of weed.
"People look at the heroin use on the reservations, including our reservation, and they think that the alternative of using some form of marijuana to ease pain is a better option than the synthentic version of heroin."
But the thing that makes everyone in Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe pause is previous experience losing a loved one to substance abuse and addiction.
"You can see it firsthand and it's very impactful, it makes you think about where you are and what you're doing."