The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) and the Wisconsin Tribal Task Force on Cannabis will hold a press conference on its new statewide wellness campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
The ICIA, a national cannabis advocacy nonprofit based in Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Tribal Task Force on Cannabis, a coalition of the state’s Tribal governments, will announce its new public awareness campaign to promote the legalization of medicinal cannabis. The effort aims to highlight the importance of legal cannabis to combat chronic pain, anxiety, PTSD and other conditions.
The ICIA has been a continued force in promoting cannabis reform since its founding two years ago by Rob Pero. Pero, who operates Canndigenous based in Cambridge, has worked towards highlighting not only the benefits of cannabis reform statewide but how it can impact Native American communities across the country.
“The time to take action is now,” Pero said. “As a historically and culturally appreciated plant medicine, medical cannabis offers relief for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, including aging individuals and veterans. While we wait for legalization, our communities are losing out on important medical care.”
Pero will be joined by Michael Decorah — a longtime advocate for Indigenous rights and senior intergovernmental affairs specialist for the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin.
The two have worked in tandem on cannabis reform. Previously Decorah spoke at the ICIA Wisconsin Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit where he pointed at the parallels between his work on gaming reform and the new benefits that cannabis could bring to Indigenous communities. Both highlight the strong economic impact and health benefits in combating psychological disorders.
The two have called for legislation to catch up with Wisconsin’s surrounding states. Wisconsin is slated for exponential growth if cannabis reform is passed. The entire industry is domestic in each state — due to interstate commerce laws and lack of federal recognition of cannabis legality — and is poised to bring in more than $265 million in additional tax revenue for full recreational and medicinal reform.
The money brought in, according to Assembly Bill 506, would direct 60% of gained tax revenue from cannabis sales to community reinvestment programs.
Pero says Indigenous Tribes are uniquely positioned to take over the cannabis industry by exercising their right to self-sovereignty. However, he urges that Tribes should wait for a full push from Wisconsin on reform and work within the bounds of state laws.
“Tribes are motivated to work within the regulations of the USDA Farm Bill and within existing legal opportunities. Meanwhile, we’re going to begin educating the public about the importance of passing cannabis policy reform,” Pero said. “We have to stop waiting to get good medicine to people throughout this state the right way.”
The press conference will be held Sept. 3 at 11 a.m. on the steps of the Wisconsin State Capitol building.
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