SRMT monthly meeting addresses Marijuana, and Industrial Hemp Ventures — Chief Beverly Cook stated, “First we need to formulate the questions for the referendum because we need the OK to use resources to continue to investigate, and get the OK to travel to advocate for this. Once the questions are formulated we can continue.”

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribal monthly meeting was held on August 6^th, 2016 at the community building, chaired by Tribal Chief Ron LaFrance.

Lindsay Tarbell, SRMT Economic Development Planner, gave a presentation on the Akwesasne Tourism Strategic Action Plan (ATSAP), Experience Akwesasne Tourism Community Development Initiative, and the Akwesasne Tourism Working Group (ATWG).  The individuals that comprise ATWG include Lindsay Tarbell, LaToya Rourke MCA- Experience Akwesasne, Waylon Cook-MCA- Environment, Bea Johnson-Akwesasne Area Management Board, and Christopher Thompson- SRMT- Economic Development Director.

Tarbell brought to the community highlights of the past eight years of planning, accomplishments, and current projects.  Some accomplishments include the completion of the community development plan- 2008; the Akwesasne Artisan Survey- 2008; the Akwesasne Business Directory- Est. 2008 and published annually; the Cultural Tourism Strategy- 2009; and the Akwesasne Tourism Working Group- 2013.

Tarbell explained the importance of cultural tourism, and how travel and tourism can positively affect Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, both Northern and Southern portions.

The mission of the Akwesasne Tourism Working Group is to provide “A Proud community sharing world class tourism experience.”  Some goals for the ATWP including procuring groundwork/foundation for more funding, a solid business case, financials, action plans, marketing/branding plan, internal policies, tourism interpretation plan, HR strategies, a sister welcome center on the Southern portion of Akwesasne, Beautify Akwesasne project, Native North American Indian College fishing amphitheater and butterfly garden, Saint Regis Catholic Church interpretive site, Thompson Island Cultural Camp, a 5 year plan, develop eco & adventure tourism sites, and an Akwesasne Heritage Complex to highlight the cultural center, museum, and sites.  “The main goal is to highlight all these different sites so there’s something in each area and the funds are distributed evenly,” said Tarbell.

Beautify Akwesasne is a current pilot project that is designed to target homes in the following target areas: the Cornwall Island corridor, State Route 37, and St. Regis Rd.  The Akwesasne Area Management Board (AAMB) and the Native North American Travelling College (NNATC) have provided a team of six laborers to improve properties in the target locations.  Homeowners and businesses may submit a request to have services such as litter cleanup/removal, basic landscaping, painting (houses, fencing, signage), and need only to supply the materials.  All costs associated with the labor are covered by AAMB and NNATC.  This pilot project aims to encourage tourism by improving the aesthetic and visual appearance of the community.  Beautify Akwesasne is aimed only at the aforementioned target areas due only to the limited time and staff in this project.  There is a Radio-thon scheduled for August 19^th, to allow the community the opportunity to contribute to the efforts of this project for elders and families who can’t afford materials for repairs.  Items requested are tools, building materials, and monetary donations.

The Adopt a Street Program is another project in the works that aims to beautify and create a positive environment in Akwesasne.  Akwesasronon will have the opportunity to adopt a street, in which the family agrees to maintain the street and keep it picked up once a month.  A welcome package will be given to each family who participates that includes trash grabbers, gloves, safety vests, and cones.  This program is designed not only to beautify Akwesasne, but to “promote a sense of community pride,” stated Bea Johnson, AAMB.

The Art Park is another collaborative project, involving the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Economic Development as well as Environment divisions in order to design a concept.  According to the MCA Community Planner, Penny Peters, the properties on the East and West sides of the Hogansburg Dam are currently in the design stages after the community identified a need for a park geared toward arts and culture.  The Art Park Committee is looking at developing these areas to be different from each other, to offer possible fishing areas, a kayak launching area, a picnic area, a band-shell similar to the one in Cornwall at Lameroux Park, a pavilion, and just a nice area for community members to hang out or host events.   The Dam house itself has been inspected and has been deemed a structurally sound building.  “It is a historical building with beautiful space, we’d like to try and keep the history and culture there, and let the community walk through to see for themselves,” stated Lindsay Tarbell.  There are also possible ideas of creating the Dam house into the sister Welcome Center, similar to the one residing on Kawenohke, Cornwall Island.  The Art Park committee will be presenting these concepts to the surrounding home and landowners before the final design is brought to the community.

An Akwesasne App & Map are in the works to create a complete tourism experience for Akwesasne for purposes of marketing and branding plans, followed by the development of a website.  Itinerary and group tours are being designed and developed.  LaToya Rourke, MCA Tour Coordinator of Experience Akwesasne says that she “wants the community to be engaged in the tours.  I don’t want to do the tours; I want our community members who are experts in the areas of fishing, or history to facilitate.  I will be here to help book tours, groupings, acquire artisans, and prepare tourism itineraries.”

This project will end in 2017, and so far Experience Akwesasne has highlighted businesses, artisans, created a gallery, and consignment for local artists. “Kahnawake, Tyendinega, and Six Nations all have Welcome Centers, and we are partnering with them to make a great overall experience.

Waylon Cook, MCA Environment Camp Coordinator for Thompson Island outlined the current project in creating Thompson Island a functional camp to be able to offer different projects for community and non-community members.  Working along with LaToya Rourke and MCA- DCSS (Department of Community & Social Services), they are working on a ropes course.  This project has been awarded the Community Trust Fund.  Funds have allocated to building a bunkhouse on Thompson Island.  Cook stated that they are “working with consultants to develop a strategic plan to create longevity for Akwesasne to come experience it.”

Tarbell also stated that “trails are being developed; they are breaking ground in Snye now.  There will also be development on the lands surrounding the Anowarakowa Arena.  All of this is about the community; if anyone is passionate about something you can come to me or anyone in the working group to share ideas.”

The floor was briefly opened up to the community for questions, in which community members asked about the Akwesasne Cultural Museum.  Tarbell explained that they have applied for a grant that will award $2M over 5 years, in which part will be utilized to develop a heritage center.  They have been working along with Sue Herne, Museum Coordinator at the Akwesasne Cultural Center, as well as the library board to develop these ideas further.

Following the presentation by Ms. Tarbell, Tribal Council brought up two referendum questions concerning Medical Marijuana and Industrial Hemp.

1. Should the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe explore options to legalize, license and regulate the cultivation, production, and distribution of Medical Marijuana?
2. Should the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe explore options to legalize, license and regulate the cultivation, production, and distribution of Industrial Hemp?

A Tribal Council Resolution has been approved for a community comment for a period of 30 days; beginning on August 6, 2016 continuing to September 5^th, 2016.  Community members are encouraged to bring up any comments and concerns on these two separate questions during this time.  A referendum is planned for late fall/early winter.

Tribal Council realizes there are issues concerning this, and want everyone to know what’s in store.  Tribal council wants to present these questions to the community objectively, and allow the community to decide this course of action.

Chief Eric Thompson has been spearheading this venture since he started.

Chief Thompson stated, “The issue of medical marijuana and the legalization thereof came up in 2004.  Since, there’s been a movement to decriminalize and legalize marijuana.  In December 2014 it became a reality for tribes because of the DOJ Memo that was released.  There was a large response to these memos in Indian Country, but people interpreted them at carte blanche.  People interpreted it as we could do what we wanted, but as we became educated on it, it became clear that there is a lot of gray area, and things need to be developed on this.”

Chairperson, Chief Ron LaFrance, introduced Joe Stevens, a spokesman for “ETAIN”, and has been in the medical marijuana business for over ten years.  He has experience from the ground floor up in the state of New Jersey with ETAIN, the first licensed dispensary in New Jersey.  He has been working with a family in New York State on a medical marijuana project.  Mr. Stevens explained to the community the NYS operating procedures and regulations, as NYS has the most regulated and most restrictive in the nation.

There are ten qualifying diseases that must be accompanied by five symptoms to qualify for a medical marijuana prescription.  There are only 600 Regulated Physicians that may prescribe medical marijuana in NYS, many do not take on new patients due to the strict regulations by NYS Doctors are afraid of backlash for prescribing too many patients.  Each visit will run anywhere from $500-$900, and is not covered by any insurance due to its federal illegality. Once approved the patient must register online with the state for a $50 annual fee.  In New York State, medical marijuana is available in oil based form only; via pill form, tinctures, or vapors.

Stevens brought the community through different operating requirements for medical marijuana including the cultivation, and the costs associated with that, the requirements for operation, as well as requirements for extraction of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (Cannabidiol).

“This is a challenging program.  Its anywhere between $3-5M start-up, and has high cost operations, high regulations, and a limited market.  Banks shut down accounts that are servicing/ordering/etc., once they find out they are in the medical marijuana business.  Some marijuana challenges are: No banking, hard to get accounts with ancillary vendors (i.e. chemical suppliers); and also losing patients to the black market, death, or to those that feel the meds do nothing.”

Currently the company Mr. Stevens is assisting has a staff of 30 employees, 15 part-time, and has been operational for 18 months.  The cost to run the facility per month is $500,000, and $180K goes toward salaries.  The cultivation facility is 12 thousand sq. ft., with a manufacturing facility of 8 thousand sq. ft.  It is currently supplying four dispensaries in Syracuse, Yonkers, Kingston, and Albany.

Stevens explained that his career is patient focused and is here to help, should Akwesasne decide to take on this venture.  “I am not looking at this as a competition; I just want this all to work as a whole.  I’m here to help, if the community decides to legalize, I will come up and help with anything I can.  Our commitment to patients keeps this open.  We had a 12 year old patient who hadn’t spoken in 12 years, because of seizures.  After one week of taking our product she started speaking.”

To clarify, the active ingredient in marijuana, CBD (Cannabidiol), is inactive in regards to the high one might find with THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).  The maximum dosage is 10mgs.

The National Indian Cannabis Coalition (NICC) presented to the community in some depth on the legal side of medical marijuana and industrial hemp in Indian Country.  The NICC was cofounded by Allyson Doctor, her husband Jeff Doctor, and Lael Echo-Hawk, Lawyer, Pawnee Nation, OK.  Their mission is to educate tribal leaders and elected officials on the emerging regulated cannabis industry while advocating for parity on behalf of Indian country.

There are currently 24 states that have legalized marijuana and industrial hemp.  In 2014, Colorado made $699 Million in sales; $76 Million in taxes alone.  Washington state made $257 Million in sales; $70 Million in taxes.  The AMR estimates $10.8 Billion in National sales by 2019.

Echo-Hawk went on to explain the Tribal Marijuana Act Pocan (D-WI), which attempts to provide clarity for tribes interested in participating in the industry.  “It creates a safety net for violating federal laws,” said Ms. Echo-Hawk.  The NICC provided input on this draft.  It includes HIS (Indian Health Services) for tribes engaged in processing and selling cannabis, Pocan protects their federal funding.  Currently if you have an IHS clinic you cannot prescribe or discuss medical marijuana.  If tribes proceed with legalization it is at the risk of losing federal funds.

Next she explained the Veterans Affairs Directive, 2011-2014, which allows vets to participate and use medical marijuana for PTSD.  However, no federal agencies can permit doctors to discuss the option with patients.

Earlier this year Congress sent a letter to the DEA requesting their consideration of descheduling CBD, which is not an abuse risk.  They are currently open to descheduling CBD because it produces no “high”.  Their recommendation will be decided soon.

Jeff Doctor, Executive Director of the NICC also spoke and gave a little background on his involvement.  Due to the election year, Doctor stated that, “by the end of November potentially 30 states will have cannabis regulations.  Elections coming up are important for Indian country to know who’s for us and whose not.”  There are some legislative priorities such as banking/finance, agricultural/ industrial hemp, inclusive of tribes in cannabis/hemp legalization, and to DRAFT Tribal Marijuana bill.  “When this goes federal, we want to be ready, proactive, and be on the forefront to be a leader of this industry,” stated Doctor.

Doctor went on to address the business risks, current legislations, hemp legislations, and research being conducted at the University of Mississippi.  Twenty-eight states have removed barriers to produce industrial hemp. Hemp is a billion dollar crop, as it has multiple uses.  It can be made into such things as ethanol, paper, clothing, hemp-Crete (to replace concrete), and even houses.

As of this point the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has no committee set up on this yet, it is only preliminary.  Chief Beverly Cook stated, “First we need to formulate the questions for the referendum because we need the OK to use resources to continue to investigate, and get the OK to travel to advocate for this.  Once the questions are formulated we can continue.”  Hemp and medical marijuana need to be separate questions, because of the nature of each.  Hemp is grown to produce products, and does not produce a “high”, whereas marijuana would be produced for its healing properties.

After the NICC presentation, Tribal Council moved on to new business.

• A request from community member Rene Hart to pay for legal fees was turned down, as she is still in legal limbo, and must wait until it is resolved before bringing it back to the floor.
• Community member request for more information on the $2K given to the Hillary Clinton delegate, Lisa Sacco, SRMT Tribal Member.
• Request to make a general rule that Tribal Council shouldn’t support any political parties directly.
• Request for numbers from the clinic of how many patients would qualify for medical marijuana use; no names, only stats.
• Request for information from Tony David, SRMT Environment, by William Clute, regarding sea lamprey, an invasive species that may take over following the Hogansburg Dam removal.

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe encourages all Tribal members to attend their monthly meetings.  If you cannot do so, you may listen to the recording in the Tribal Clerk’s office during regular business hours.  The September Tribal monthly meeting will be announced in the coming weeks.

BY: Ohseraseia:hawi