Deana Martin, the Marijuana Mom, and founder of Northern Herb, recently pleaded with the US Federal government and received a 4-year Federal prison sentence for income tax evasion, money laundering, payroll tax evasion, and selling marijuana without a license.

Indigenous communities are bound to abide by federal and state U.S. laws despite their status as independent communities. It is not unusual for these tribes to find themselves in controversial situations with the local, state, and even federal authorities. Complex policies, like gaming and cannabis, are usually the main source of controversies between the tribes and the government. Oregon, Washington, and Nevada have a standing agreement with the indigenous nations within their borders on critical compacts containing varying rules on cannabis issues. Tribes outside these regions are still contemplating whether or not to launch due to the varying state and national legislation on cannabis policies.