2.24.20
By: Michelle Simon
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation hemp plan has been officially approved by the United States Department of Agriculture.
“We are one of just a few tribes that have been approved to grow industrial hemp. This is the first step in a long process to diversify our farm program and enter a new industry with many benefits for our Nation and the land,” stated Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Chairman Joseph Rupnick.
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary, Sonny Perdue announced the approval of three new tribal hemp production plans on Thursday, February 20, 2020, which included the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Otoe-Missouria Tribe and the Santee Sioux Nation.
To date, ten tribes and eight states have received approval for hemp production plans. It is reported that the tribal hemp plans are surpassing expectations with the level of expertise and acumen displayed in the codes submitted for approval.
Other tribal Nation’s with approved plans include Colorado River Indian Tribes, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, Fort Belknap Indian Community, Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indian Tribes, Santa Rosa Cahuilla Indian Tribe, and the Yurok Tribe.
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation submitted its plan to the United States Department of Agriculture in December 2019. The Nation utilized the Prairie Band LLC in conjunction with Native Network Consulting to facilitate the process.
Potawatomi Law and Order Code – Title 32: Hemp Legalization and Control is currently open for comment by enrolled PBPN membership. The code and proposed changes can be viewed by logging into the Members Only Portal at www.pbpindiantribe.com. Comments are being accepted through April 17, 2020.