South Dakota Tribe Moves To Legalize Marijuana

FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) — An American Indian tribe in eastern South Dakota has approved selling and using marijuana on tribal lands.

KELO-TV and KSFY-TV report the executive committee of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe voted Thursday to legalize marijuana. Tribal president Tony Reider says the tribe will grow marijuana at a secure facility, and tribal attorney Seth Pearman says customers would need a valid registration card to buy it.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley says he respects the tribe's authority to govern tribal members. He says use and possession of marijuana by "non-Indians" is still against the law.

A December decision by the U.S. Justice Department allows American Indian tribes to grow and sell marijuana on their lands if they follow federal conditions that were set out for states where the drug is legal.