"On October 28, 2014, the Department of Justice issued a Policy Statement regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian country, to all United States Attorneys. With a number of states legalizing marijuana for use and production, some tribes have requested guidance on the enforcement of the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) on tribal lands by the United States Attorneys' offices. With these request in mind, the Attorney General's Native American Issues Subcommittee has reviewed the Memorandum from the Deputy Attorney General, dated August 29, 2013, regarding marijuana enforcement ("Cole Memorandum") has considered its impact on Indian country. Indian country includes numerous reservations and tribal lands with diverse sovereign governments, many of which traverse state borders and federal districts. Given this, the United States Attorneys recognize that effective federal law enforcement in Indian country, including marijuana enforcement, requires consultation with our tribal partners in the districts and flexibility to confront the particular, yet sometimes divergent, public safety issues that can exist on any single reservation…"
Cole Memorandum, August 29, 2013
Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country, October 28, 2014