The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) last week unveiled a map of tribal cannabis and hemp programs. In collaboration with cannabis law firm Vicente LLP, the map was developed through research and interviews with tribal leaders. The map shows the locations of Indigenous cannabis programs in blue and hemp programs in red. There are currently 52 tribal communities that operate federally approved hemp programs, and dozens have created custom systems to regulate cannabis for both medical and adult use. 

About 26% of Indigenous communities in the continental U.S. are involved with cannabis or hemp programs, according to ICIA data. 

In a statement, ICIA Founder Rob Pero said the project “will highlight the thoughtful work that has gone into these sovereign regulatory programs as well as how these businesses affect local employment and revenue for community service.”     

“Together, we hope to inform, inspire and empower other Indigenous communities considering cannabis as well as policy makers around the world.” — Pero in a press release 

Andrew Livingston, director of economics and market analysis at Vicente LLP, added that “Indigenous cannabis programs are a vital piece of America’s cannabis movement.” 

“And these businesses deserve recognition,” he said in a statement. “The goal of our study is to provide information on how different Indigenous communities have established their regulated cannabis programs, the size of the economic opportunity, and the ways that regulating cannabis can be structured in the future to further the goals of each community.”  

Information for the ICIA map powered is taken from all accessible data, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture directory, in-market research, and relationship data, and is current as of April 2024. 

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