While the Washington State Liquor Control Board continues its rule-making process to establish a legal market for recreational marijuana, there’s at least one place you should not expect to buy, sell, or smoke come 2014 – Yakama Nation tribal lands.
Last week the Chair of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, Harry Smiskin, put out a statement informing Washingtonians that marijuana will remain illegal on the tribe’s 1.2 million-acre reservation.
The Yakama Nation’s attorney reiterated that point and noted that the state doesn’t have the authority to make recreational marijuana legal on tribal lands.
The Yakama Nation has grounds for their decision. In addition to tribal self-governance, reservation lands are also subject to federal jurisdiction – meaning marijuana on tribal lands would still be illegal under federal drug laws.
The Yakama Nation has made it clear that they will work with federal law enforcement agents to shut down any marijuana retailer attempting to operate on tribal lands.
Several tribes, including the Yakama Nation, have a similar ban on liquor sales and retail, although there is a court-ordered exemption for towns that partly or wholly reside within tribal boundaries.
The Liquor Control Board has agreed to honor the wishes of the Yakama Nation and will not issue permits for any location on reservations.