Florida Tribe Threatens Rick Scott: Let Us Build A Casino Or We Start Growing Pot

[marble falls]

Florida Tribe Threatens Rick Scott: Let Us Build A Casino Or We Start Growing Pot
If the state rejects the deal, the tribe is within its rights to sue to use the land to grow marijuana
By Scott Kaufman / Raw Story
February 21, 2015

http://www.alternet.org/florida-tribe-threatens-rick-scott-let-us-build-casino-or-we-start-growing-pot

<snip>

An Alabama native American tribe that operates casinos in Florida informed the state that if it doesn’t allow them to expand their casinos, they will have no choice but to start growing marijuana on the land designated for the expansion, the Associated Press reports.

The Poarch Creek Band of native Americans told Florida Governor Rick Scott that if the state’s Republican-controlled House and Senate refused to allow the tribe to operate a casino on land it owns in Escambia County, it would endeavor to grow and distribute marijuana on the land in accordance with the regulations that the federal government has imposed on states that have legalized the trade.

<snip>

If the state rejects the deal, the tribe is within its rights to sue to use the land to grow marijuana, as this past December the Department of Justice stated that tribes can grow and distribute marijuana on their sovereign land — even if the state in which that land is situated has not legalized marijuana.

Many tribes have resisted selling marijuana because, as the director of the Drug Policy Institute at the University of Florida, Kevin Sabet, told the Los Angeles Times, “native Americans and their families suffer disproportionately from addiction compared to other groups. The last thing they want is another commercialized industry that targets them for greater use.”

[whathehell]

1. Good on Them!

I love it.

[appal_jack]

2. The mj would be far less addictive & destructive than gambling. k&r, nt

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. +1

[Scuba]

6. + another

[Dont call me Shirley]

3. Do it anyway, grow pot and hemp and have your casino.

Scott deserves a public spanking. The Original Inhabitants deserve their right to earn a decent living.

[Scuba]

5. Spin alert! Use of the word "threatens" is inappropriate. "Informs" would be more accurate.

[immoderate]

7. What place "needs" a casino?

But agriculture can be sustainable.

--imm

[wildbilln864]

8. do both! n/t

[Go Vols]

9. k&R

[marble falls]

10. Add this to the mix:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026275473

UPDATE: Bill would legalize pot for personal use in Florida
http://postonpolitics.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2015/02/24/bill-would-legalize-pot-in-florida/

A Senate bill that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana and impose a $50-per-ounce excise tax on growers, producers and retail stores was introduced late Monday afternoon.

SB 1176, filed by Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Cutler Bay, is identical to a bill Bullard filed last year. That bill died in committee without a hearing.

The bill would allow adults to use, possess, transport or give away up 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 6 seedlings. An adult could also grow up to six pot plants at home for personal use and smoke marijuana at home and in non-public places.

Bullard acknowledges that the bill has no chance of passing this year. However, he cites his mother’s efforts in 2011 to convince lawmakers to consider amending the constitution to legalize medical marijuana.

[geomon666]

11. Love Bullard

Will always vote for him as long as I'm in his district.

[Warren DeMontague]

12. They should do both.

why the fuck not?

Shit, let people smoke the weed in the casino. They'd probably have more fun gambling and enjoying the blinking lights, and it would give Vegas a run for the money in terms of a travel destination.

[wildbilln864]

13. and a kick! n/t