AKWESASNE — Pursuant to a referendum approved by tribal voters on Tsiothórha/December 3, 2016, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe was authorized to explore the regulation of medical marijuana. Proposed regulations have now been drafted and three public meetings dates have been identified to present a Draft Medical Marijuana Ordinance to tribal membership: July 13th, July 25th, and August 10th.
In December 2016, tribal voters were posed with the referendum question: “Should the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe explore options to legalize, license and regulate the cultivation, production and distribution of MEDICAL MARIJUANA?†Sixty-three percent (63%) of tribal voters approved the Tribe’s exploration into medical marijuana: with 347 “Yes†votes, 197 “No†votes, 1 voided and 3 spoiled ballots.
Since that time, the Tribe’s Office of the General Counsel has researched steps needed in developing a Draft Medical Marijuana Ordinance. In accordance with the 2013 Tribal Procedures Act, the draft ordinance is now being presented during a 30-day comment period for public input and feedback.
Community members will have an opportunity to review and give feedback on the Draft Medical Marijuana Ordinance at three public meetings being held at the Ionkwakiohkwaróron Tribal Administration Building, located at 71 Margaret Terrance Memorial Way in Akwesasne, NY: DURING the Monthly Tribal Meeting on Saturday, July 13th @ 10:00 a.m.; Thursday, July 25th @ 5:00 p.m.; and AFTER the Monthly Tribal Meeting on Saturday, August 10th.
The Draft Medical Marijuana Ordinance is also available to review by accessing the Tribal Members Portal from the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s website at www.srmt-nsn.gov.
