ABOUT NEWE

April 18, 2020, is historic for the Elko Band Colony of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians (the “Elko Band”)—the opening of Newe Cannabis.  While, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, this opening is presently limited for safety reasons to drive-through only, the Elko Band nonetheless looks forward to the eventual opening of the beautiful store itself when it is safe to do so.

While Newe Cannabis may be new, the legality of cannabis in Nevada is most certainly not new—it has been legal for two decades.  In 2000, 65.38% of Nevadans voted to legalize medical cannabis.   Then, on November 8, 2016, 54.47% of Nevadans approved Question 2 to legalize recreational cannabis.   Nevadans recognized the economic opportunity from cannabis and seized the opportunity.  

The same is true for Nevada’s tribes.  On June 2, 2017, six months after Nevadans legalized recreational cannabis, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval signed a law that allowed Nevada’s tribes to fully participate in the recreational marketplace with State licensees provided they execute an agreement with the State of Nevada to do so.  

For the Elko Band, this requirement was completed on January 23, 2020, when Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak and Elko Chairman Davis Gonzales signed the Cannabis Agreement Between the Elko Band Colony of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians of Nevada and the State of Nevada.  

The above narrative demonstrates that the Elko Band has not acted in some haphazard manner—to the contrary, it has followed applicable law in every step of this economic endeavor and has worked closely with the Nevada Legislature, Governor Sisolak, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, the Nevada Department of Taxation, and the newly created Cannabis Compliance Board.  Moreover, the Elko Band has contracted with professionals to ensure that NeWe Cannabis is a first rate operation that meticulously adheres to all safety and security regulations.  

The Elko Band hopes that NeWe Cannabis can provide much needed economic development for the Tribe and responsibly provide a service for the people of Elko County and Nevada for years to come.  

Sincerely, 

Elko Band Colony