Sunday, December 22, 2024

Committee votes for medicinal marijuana

Committee votes for medicinal marijuana

WINDOW ROCK

Could the Navajo Nation benefit from cultivating medicinal marijuana? That’s what Dineh Benally, a former Navajo Nation vice president candidate, believes.

He went before the Health, Education and Human Services Committee Monday to present the health and economic benefits should the Navajo Nation grow cannabis.

“My mom, when she got pancreatic cancer, her last four months of her life she suffered,” he explained. “She didn’t have the medication to have a better part of life. So that’s why I started this crusade. I learned to believe that this medicine is a medicine.”

The bill (0213-17), sponsored by Council Delegate Lee Jack Jr., would amend Title 17 of the Navajo Nation Code, specifically section 391 that deals with possession of marijuana. The code states that there is zero tolerance of possession of marijuana. Anyone found guilty will spend no more than 365 days in jail or be ordered to pay a fine no more than $5,000.

But what Jack is aiming for with his amendment is make an exception to possession where it will be lawful for any business to cultivate and produce cannabis, or hemp, for economic, industrial, or scientific purposes. “The real purpose for this is economic development and industrial purposes,” said Jack. “This is just a start. The Nation has been looking for ways for economic development.”


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About The Author

Arlyssa Becenti

Arlyssa Becenti reported on Navajo Nation Council and Office of the President and Vice President. Her clans are Nát'oh dine'é Táchii'nii, Bit'ahnii, Kin łichii'nii, Kiyaa'áanii. She’s originally from Fort Defiance and has a degree in English Literature from Arizona State University. Before working for the Navajo Times she was a reporter for the Gallup Independent.

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