BROWNING — Blackfeet Agency Superintendent Thedis Crowe of the BIA rejected the Blackfeet Tribal Council's legalization of medical marijuana, which is aligned with Montana law.

After passing the legalization ordinance unanimously and getting the tribal court and Blackfeet law enforcement on board, the council submitted the law to the BIA in October.

Tribal Attorney Dawn Gray told the Glacier Reporter she objected to the Blackfeet having to appeal the ordinance to the BIA in Billing. The ordinance stands as the tribe awaits the results of its appeal.

“This impinges on the tribe’s rights,” she said.

More:Blackfeet Tribal Council decriminalizes medical marijuana, declares state of drug/alcohol abuse emergency

In passing legalization, the council notes that the tribe "respects individual patient rights to choose lawful alternative medicine as prescribed by a medical board certified physician of the State of Montana to address such ailments in the most effective yet less harmful manner."

Prescribed medical marijuana doesn't fit the intent of the tribe's laws against criminal possession of dangerous drugs, according to the amendment. The tribe won't prosecute people for possession of medical marijuana.

Marijuana, medical or otherwise, remains illegal under federal law.

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