The Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, has started its first workgroup focused on hemp and cannabis-related opportunities. The group met for the first time in February, establishing a framework for Cherokee Nation citizens to give direct input and submit questions.
“We want to study this emerging industry, so that we can get a baseline to craft good policy for the future of our tribe and tribal citizens,” Principal Chief Hoskin Jr. told the press. “To do this not only requires an executive workgroup to make recommendations, but we also want to incorporate comments and concerns from our Tribal citizens as it relates to hemp and cannabis cultivation, production, and use in the medical industry.”
The group was appointed by the chief to study cannabis-related issues and how they relate to different industries like agriculture, commerce, and health care. They will be looking for potential impacts of the industry and opportunities that the crop may provide.
Their work will be used to make recommendations on Human Resource policies for the Cherokee Nation, and help decide what regulations they should develop around the growth and use of hemp. They will also determine if cannabis should play a role in the Cherokee Nation’s Health Services system.
“This is the first in a series of meetings to evaluate and make policy recommendations to the Principal Chief and the Council of the Cherokee Nation by the end of May,” Secretary of Natural Resources Chad Harsha said. “We have the right folks at the table, and I look forward to working with this team to bring clarity and recommendations on these important issues.”
