Client Alert
Indian Nations Law Update - February 2015
February 11, 2015Article explores Indian country marijuana
Last fall, the U.S. Department of Justice issued a "Policy Statement Regarding Marijuana Issues in Indian Country" intended to guide federal prosecutors in connection with enforcement of federal anti-drug laws relating to marijuana. The policy statement has triggered a flurry of speculation regarding the opportunities that it may afford tribes wishing to establish commercial marijuana enterprises as a means of raising revenue to fund governmental operations. Godfrey & Kahn’s Indian Nations Team Leader Brian Pierson’s "Exploring Indian country marijuana" examines the policy statement and the complex legal issues relating to the establishment of commercial marijuana enterprises in Indian country.
See: "Exploring Indian country marijuana"
Godfrey & Kahn, Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi to present on Renewable Energy Financing at NIGA conference
Godfrey & Kahn’s Renewable Energy Strategies team leader John Clancy and Indian Nations law team leader Brian Pierson will join with Tony Day of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi (NHBP) Indians to present a workshop at the National Indian Gaming Association annual convention and trade show March 31 - April 2, 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center.
The presentation, entitled "Casino Energy Consumption and the Seven Generations Ethic: The Economic, Environmental and Cultural Benefits of Replacing Carbon-based Energy with Renewable Energy," will focus on strategies to reduce the cost of converting casinos and other tribal buildings to cost-effective solar, wind, biomass and other renewable energy sources by partnering with investors and developers to take advantage of federal renewable energy tax credits, depreciation and other state and federal renewable energy incentives. The presentation will include a primer on the economics of renewable energy (e.g., rates, geographical factors, net-metering issues, state regulatory factors, etc.), a detailed explanation of the investment tax credit strategy and descriptions of actual Indian country projects, including the solar photovoltaic and thermal renewable energy initiatives of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians. Questions and ongoing interaction with the audience will be encouraged.
For more information, see http://www.indiangamingtradeshow.com/Content/778.htm
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