In 2016 Native Workplace, Inc. created the Inter-Tribal Hemp Association as a strategy for our tribal clients that have feral hemp growing on their lands. Currently this has about a 7-8 state reach that included millions of acres of naturalized hemp.

This tribally driven and operated association is for the purpose of tribes to engage in collaborative projects together, pool resources, to harvest and utilize their own tribal hemp and seed, protect their naturalized hemp seed from theft, vet companies and consultants pitching projects to tribes, enter the USDA Bio Preferred Federal contracting program and industry with hemp products made from their naturalized hemp.

It had also come to our attention that naturalized hemp seeds were being taken from tribal lands, renamed and used in projects from Kentucky to Israel with no compensation for tribes whatsoever. For example, seeds taken from Pine Ridge are being used yet the Oglala tribe will see no revenue.

The Inter-Tribal Hemp Association is also to be used at a legal protective arm to protect this valuable resource yet unrecognized by tribes.

Why this Effort So Critical?

In 2015-2016 while performing our work for tribal clients in Nebraska, we discovered language in the Controlled Substances Act that will allow Tribes to legally make product from their existing naturalized hemp. Tribes don't have to wait to engage in costly projects of cultivation which are currently in a legal quagmire.

This tribally driven association is to assist tribes with legitimate business development, with legal and decision making committees where each tribe is represented by a member of their choice. Native Workplace initiated and trademarked the Inter-Tribal Hemp Association however we will not be operating it as it will be, and should be, a tribally operated organization. The website has been online since 2016 and is expected to grow as we continue implementing in our national strategies and alliances with tribes nationwide.

We applaud and support tribally driven efforts such as the California Native American Cannabis Association as they add tribes to their national organization currently consisting of 20 tribes.

"The California Native American Cannabis Association is composed of federally recognized Tribal Governments dedicated to protecting the sovereign right of Tribes to provide regulated, legal cannabis products to their communities, and engage in the economic development of legal, safe, and high-quality cannabis products for California consumers."

Have questions? Native Workplace info@nativeworkplace.com