It’s official: Native Americans are getting into the marijuana industry.
The Pinoleville Pomo Nation announced that it has solidified a deal with FoxBarry Development Company to build a 90,000 square foot indoor cultivation center for medical marijuana on its land north of San Francisco, in Mendocino County.
Construction is slated to begin next month, and operations could start by the end of February. The new building will also include 20,000 square feet of space for processing and offices.
FoxBarry has committed $30 million to construct at least three MMJ operations centers scattered across the state, and a company executive said the firm is close to signing another deal with a second tribe as well.
FoxBarry and Pinoleville plan to grow a wide variety of strains and produce infused products with the help of Colorado-based United Cannabis, which will serve as a consulting firm to the operations.
The news of the deal follows an announcement last month from the Departent of Justice, which declared that it would not prosecute Native American tribes that wish to grow and sell marijuana on tribal lands. So far, few tribes have expressed interest in the industry.
