Menominee Tribe votes in favor of recreational, medicinal marijuana
Members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin voted in favor of legalizing recreational and medical marijuana – but the results don't change any ordinances.
Voters took part in the advisory referendum Wednesday and Thursday, answering two questions:
- Should recreational use of cannabis for adults 21 or older be allowed?
- Should medicinal use of cannabis be allowed?
Friday morning, the tribe announced results on its Facebook page, with 677 voting yes in favor of recreational use (494 voted no), and 899 voting yes for medical use (275 against).
The results, however, don't change anything. It's just an advisory process.
The nine-member legislative body still has to consider and approve it – something the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says it's "likely" to do after a study.
FOX 6 reports about 13 percent of Menominee Tribe members voted this week.
Considering marijuana
According to the tribe’s website, exploring the idea of legalizing and selling marijuana is part of its continued efforts to find different ways to diversity the tribe’s economy, create jobs and increase revenue to fund needed services.
It’s something a handful of tribes across the country are considering after the U.S. Department of Justice released a memo back in December. It told federal prosecutors not to prevent tribes from growing or selling the plant on their reservations, even if marijuana is illegal in the state, the Journal Sentinel notes.
Many tribe members who spoke with the Shawano Leader said they are mixed on the legalization of marijuana, noting they don’t support the recreational use of the drug, but understand the tribe’s need to expand its economy.
