Cherokee Nation launches workgroup to study hemp, cannabis growth

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. has appointed a Cherokee Nation workgroup to study issues relating to hemp and cannabis in fields such as commerce, health care and agriculture.

“As Chief, I want well-informed policy, and the team we have assembled will be a great asset in that regard. I believe there are opportunities for Cherokee Nation, our businesses and our citizens to benefit from this emerging industry. But, we need to move forward carefully and responsibly and in absolute strict adherence to the law in order to ensure success and sustainability,” Chief Hoskin said.

The “Executive Work Group on Hemp, Cannabis and Related Opportunities” will have several primary functions, such as making recommendations on internal Cherokee Nation policies, including Human Resources policies. The workgroup will also make recommendations on modernizing Cherokee Nation statutes impacting the growth and use of hemp and cannabis.

It will also consider what, if any, role cannabis can play in the Cherokee Nation’s Health Services system, including identifying any legal or ethical barriers on the use of the substance.

Workgroup members will also study and make recommendations on opportunities for Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Nation citizens to engage in raising, processing, and engaging in commercial sales of hemp and cannabis.

The workgroup will report its recommendations to the Principal Chief and the Council of the Cherokee Nation no later than May 31.

The Cherokee Nation, headquartered in Tahlequah, Okla., has more than 380,000 tribal citizens.

While marijuana use is still illegal under federal law, there are provisions allowing commercial hemp production. Oklahoma has also legalized medical cannabis under SQ 788 in 2018.

Under Cherokee law, it still remains illegal to use or possess marijuana in all tribally owned properties. Cherokee Nation recently revised its workplace drug use policy to protect employees and applicants who possess a valid medical marijuana patient license.

Workgroup members include:

“The workgroup established by Chief Hoskin is a substantial step for the Cherokee Nation evaluate the changing regulatory environment surrounding hemp and cannabis in areas of commerce, agriculture and health care,” said Secretary of Natural Resources Chad Harsha. “I look forward to working with this team to bring clarity on these issues and to present policy recommendations that will advance the Cherokee Nation in these emerging areas.”

The Cherokee Nation is the federally recognized government of the Cherokee people and has inherent sovereign status recognized by treaty and law. The seat of tribal government is the W.W. Keeler Complex near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the capital of the Cherokee Nation. With more than 380,000 citizens, 11,000 employees and a variety of tribal enterprises ranging from aerospace and defense contracts to entertainment venues, Cherokee Nation is one of the largest employers in northeastern Oklahoma and the largest tribal nation in the United States.

To learn more, please visit www.cherokee.org.