Miller Nash Graham & Dunn (MNG&D) partner Christine Masse was interviewed and included in an article on KUOW.org, highlighting the ongoing issues and conflicts Northwest tribes are facing as they consider marijuana legalization opportunities.
One reason for this ongoing debate is the range of jurisdictional issues associated with the sale of marijuana. Even if Tribes are comfortable with legalizing a Schedule 1 controlled substance within their borders, they must then decide whether to move forward on their own or work in conjunction with the state and the existing legalized marketplace. Creating their own regulatory system may be attractive to some tribes, but may be challenging for others and may not help them achieve their regulatory and financial goals. Masse, leader of MNG&D’s government and regulatory affairs practice group and tribal team, weighed in on the topic. “Not every tribe is going to want to do that,” she said, “and not every tribe is going to want to exclusively sell its own product. So at some point for tribes that are really in this space, they may want to connect with the rest of that 502 marketplace.”
Masse focuses her practice in the areas of government and regulatory affairs and Native American Tribes and organizations, providing counsel to businesses and organizations on gaming, regulatory, real property, construction, financing, tax, liquor, marijuana and economic development issues. To read the article or listen to the interview, visit KUOW’s website.
