Cannabis and Indigenous Communities | 11.17.20

Growing Forward: Cannabis and New Mexico

A missing piece of most cannabis conversations in New Mexico, whether it has to do with medical or the potential for legalization of recreational- use, is how Indigenous Communities are impacted. It's a complicated scenario, especially when you consider the 23 Tribes in our state are all sovereign nations. This week on "Growing Forward" we dive into those sovereignty issues, and how Indigenous communities perceive the future of cannabis in their communities.

Additional Reading - We talk a lot in this episode about a hemp-growing operation in Northwest New Mexico. As the episode points our, there are a lot of concerns about how that operation is being handled and operated. A lot has happened in this story since we taped out interview with Navajo Times Reporter Arlyssa Becenti, but here are some of her most recent updates and related reporting from other news outlets:

Coalition of Officers Raids Benally's Hemp Farms - Navajo Times

Redfeather-Benally Replaces Dineh Benally on Farm Board - Navajo Times

Police Agencies Still Investigating Hemp Farms on Navajo Nation - Farmington Daily Times

Uprooted: A Police Raid Near Shiprock Has All But Ended an Illicit Cannabis-Growing Operation - Searchlight New Mexico

Episode Music:

Christian Bjoerklund - " Hallon"

Poddington Bear - "Good Times"

Growing Forward Logo Created By:

Katherine Conley

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"Growing Forward" is a collaboration between New Mexico Political Report and New Mexico PBS, and is funded through a grant from The New Mexico Local News Fund.

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