American Indians have held a leading role in the casino industry since 1987, when the Supreme Court ruled that gambling could not be barred in their
sovereign nations. But on one reservation in South Dakota, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Indian tribe is soon to open a new type of “adult playground”: a
marijuana resort.
Set to begin selling its first joints on New Year’s Eve, the Associated Press reported Tuesday, the resort will grow its own marijuana and feature a
smoking lounge with food and bar service, in addition to a nightclub. Santee Sioux leaders, including tribal president Anthony Reider, plan to
eventually add slot machines and an outdoor music venue to the hotspot.
The Santee Sioux’s jump into the pot business comes just months after the Justice Department issued a new policy in June allowing for American Indian
tribes to operate marijuana businesses similar to those in states where the drug has become fully legal (e.g., Colorado and Washington).
The resort has its critics—and will have to adhere to strict measures, including a prohibition against guests leaving the reservation with
marijuana—but it represents an enormous economic opportunity for tribes that, across the country, tend to have very little.
The Santee Sioux tribe, which already runs a 120-room hotel and buffalo ranch on its 5,000 acres of land, expects that this project could generate up
to $24 million a year in profits.
Hope the Lakota can follow suit; they're about the most maltreated and worst-off in the States. I am surprised to hear about the bar service; every
Native American-run casino I know of has strict no-alcohol policy (and for good reason).DianaT - 9-29-2015 at 01:11 PM
Hope the Lakota can follow suit; they're about the most maltreated and worst-off in the States. I am surprised to hear about the bar service; every
Native American-run casino I know of has strict no-alcohol policy (and for good reason).
I think that must vary from nation to nation. I know the Paiute Casino on the Res in Bishop, California serves alcohol and some of the ones we have
seen on our travels also advertise alcohol. I really don't know for sure which ones as since I quit smoking years ago, I had to quit casinos as I
can't stand the smoke! I know some Reservations are totally dry, but not all.
Casinos have not worked for a least a couple of the Lakota Nations as they are off the main travel routes --- rather isolated which is very
unfortunate.
[Edited on 9-29-2015 by DianaT]DENNIS - 9-29-2015 at 02:00 PM
I have a good buddy, born and raised in London, and married to a woman of Native American heritage. He makes no qualms about their share of casino
money, and the sizeable financial aid for his children to attend school.
He also claims [modestly] to be a millionaire for his real estate holdings in Orange County, USA.bajabuddha - 9-29-2015 at 02:30 PM
If you've ever been to Puerto Peñasco, Organ Pipe Nat'l Mon., you probably travelled through Why, Arizona. A few miles east of there is a little
casino that's just about as remote a spot as you can get. It's run by the Tohonto O'odam res, seems to do pretty good for the Nation.
Far's the Lakota, I just wonder; 'If You Build It, Will They Come'? Lee - 9-29-2015 at 02:39 PM
Happy to see this happening. Maybe the Indians will drink less alcohol and smoke (vape) more cannabis. (Colorado collected $76M from cannabis
taxes last year -- they expected more.)
chuckie - 9-29-2015 at 02:40 PM
Real estate millionaire in Orange County....Two houses in good neighborhoods?Lee - 9-29-2015 at 04:21 PM
Happy to see this happening. Maybe the Indians will drink less alcohol.
Cheap pickups from the gov, and fat welfare. They won't be quitting anything.
Cut off the guilt PR money, and they might just see a need to care for themselves. SFandH - 9-29-2015 at 05:07 PM
Just like the good old days.
shari - 9-29-2015 at 06:18 PM
I can foresee Weed Valley Tours...just like the Wine Valley tours that are all the rage these days! I hope they grow hemp again....I love hemp
fabrics!DaliDali - 9-30-2015 at 06:27 AM
Registering a vehicle in South Dakota is all about Indian dope casinos?
I am struggling to see any connection whatsoever.
Kudos to Clay county SD.....please keep up the great work.
Dope casinos?......I DON'T CARE.EngineerMike - 9-30-2015 at 11:32 AM
Why do they call it dope?bajaguy - 9-30-2015 at 12:16 PM
You might be referring to heroin or coke which is not the subject here. Even this pales in comparison to the evils of meth…. which also might be a
problem for some.
If the reference is to cannabis, ignorance knows no bounds. Which, of course, surprises no one here.
Pick your poison. Everybody has one. Bajahowodd - 9-30-2015 at 04:42 PM
