The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin has announced that it is distributing medical marijuana cards to tribal members who need them.
Beginning Oct. 21, the tribe’s member services is providing the cards for a fee to tribal members older than 18 who fill out an application and self-certify that they need marijuana for medical purposes. The fee is $50 for adult tribal members but discounted to $25 for veterans and elders over the age of 65.
Desirae Grignon, assistant tribal administrator, said during a phone interview Oct. 18 that the cards are not showing the tribe plans to legalize marijuana, whether for medical or recreational use, and that there are no plans for the Menominee Tribal Legislature to do so. Grignon said the cards allow for tribal members to have marijuana for medical use on the reservation only, and that possessing it off the reservation still puts them at risk for criminal prosecution.
The legislature passed a motion in November 2023 tasking the Wolf River Development Company with researching the issue. A workgroup, of which Grignon was a member, came up with the idea of the cards.
“They will need to verify their identity through our member services department,” Grignon said. “They would also need to self-declare and have a written statement stating they use medical marijuana for medical purposes. They have to disclose for what reason that they would need medical marijuana.”
The criteria for acceptance includes being at least 18 years of age, having an updated profile with member services and being either an enrolled tribal member or being a registered descendant. The cards are valid for one year.
“We’re not giving medical advice or determining what medical situation may be more important than others or less important,” Grignon said. “It’s all up to the opinion of the applicant.”
Grignon said that it’s made clear to applicants that the cards are only valid on the reservation, and if they get medical marijuana off the reservation, it is at their own risk.
“The applicant signs, stating that they’re taking that risk and they’re not holding the tribe liable for that,” Grignon said.
Grignon pointed out that the tribe is dealing with an opioid crisis, and having the medical marijuana cards available will provide an alternative to the existing pill culture.
“We just want to give our tribal members an alternative form of medicine,” Grignon said.
lpulaski@newmedia-wi.com
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