The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians has recently passed a historic referendum supporting the legalization and regulation of cannabis possession, production, and distribution on tribal lands. As the only federally recognized Native American tribe in the state, the Choctaw tribe comprises over 11,000 members living across 35,000 acres of reservation land.
The referendum, officially titled 2025-01, asked voters whether they “support the Tribe developing legislation to decriminalize and regulate possession, production, and distribution of marijuana on Tribal lands.” According to the Tribal Election Committee, which counted absentee ballots and certified the results on June 11 at 1:00 PM, the measure passed with 1,415 votes in favor and 1,164 opposed—representing a 57% approval rate.
Among the tribe’s eight communities, only Standing Pine in Leake County and Conehatta in Newton County voted against the proposal. The remaining six communities supported it, with Red Water recording the highest approval rate at 72%. The smallest margin in favor came from the Bogue Chitto-affiliated community of Henning, Tennessee, which passed it with a 24-22 vote.
To ensure a well-informed and evidence-based decision-making process, the tribe organized a series of informational sessions across the reservation in May 2025. These sessions, led by the Tribal Election Committee, Tribal Chief Cyrus Ben, and Tribal Council members, clarified to the public that the vote serves as an initial expression of intent. In the next phase, the Tribe will engage a professional consulting firm to conduct a comprehensive study of the cannabis market—including both medical and/or recreational uses—to evaluate potential economic benefits and associated risks.
It is worth noting that in September 2023, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in North Carolina passed a similar measure. The tribe began selling cannabis products to its members in the spring of the following year and expanded sales to all individuals aged 21 and over by the fall.
As of April 2025, according to Marijuana Business Daily, there are 77 tribally owned cannabis outlets operating across nine U.S. states. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians remains the only tribe engaging in cannabis-related commerce in a state where marijuana is not yet fully legal.
At the federal level, these developments have sparked broader debate. In a hearing in April 2025, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina raised concerns about the patchwork of marijuana laws nationwide, noting the potential for legal conflict between state laws and tribal sovereignty. He highlighted that while recreational marijuana remains illegal under North Carolina law, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has independently legalized its sale on tribal lands.
In Mississippi, medical marijuana is currently legal for individuals with qualifying conditions who hold state-issued licenses, but recreational marijuana remains prohibited. The outcome of this referendum marks a significant step for the Choctaw tribe in exercising its sovereignty and exploring new paths for economic development.
The news is soured from Mississippi Free Press and NORML
Post time: Jun-26-2025
