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A.G. Jackley Suspects Flandreau Indians Didn’t Really Burn the Tribal Marijuana Crop

Remember how the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe lit their whole stash of marijuana on fire last fall and suspended their plans to open a pot lounge in their bowling alley? Attorney General Marty Jackley thinks the tribe was playing a trick on us:

Attorney General Marty Jackley said he is investigating the reported destruction of the tribe’s marijuana crop in November after it suspended plans to legalize marijuana on its reservation.

“I don’t think for a minute that they destroyed $1 million worth of marijuana. I don’t know where that went and it’s an open case. We never shut that case,” Jackley said in an interview with Argus Leader Media. “We never got an opportunity to check what was destroyed” [Dana Ferguson, “Up in Smoke? State Investigating Tribal Marijuana Crop,” that Sioux Falls paper, 2016.04.11].

A pile of weed burns on TV, and Marty the Skeptic says he doesn’t believe the Indians burned what they said they burned. But a fire-resistant safe goes missing from the scene of a white man’s crime, and the Attorney General says the most likely explanation is that the safe evaporated. Selective skepticism, anyone?

Bonus Business Bust: If the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe didn’t burn its stash, they didn’t give it to their business buds to sell. Monarch America, the tribe’s pot-growing partner, is now entering its sixth month of stock-price flatline at zero.

53 Comments

  1. crossgrain 2016-04-12 11:46

    If the FSST could just produce a corpse to pin it on, Marty could get back to the serious business of running for governor.

  2. Mel 2016-04-12 11:59

    It’s gone. It was gone the night it was reported in the news. Building was empty, sanitized and shut down til the law is clarified or changed. Jackley is trying to do quite the clean up job for his run for Governor. I wonder what other scandals and cover ups will finally be taken care of now that he is on a mission to make SD think he wears a cape? EB-5, Star Academy the Platte murders….

  3. mike from iowa 2016-04-12 12:19

    Happy-are you advising Jackley on this case? Color me curious from iowa. :)

  4. Lorri May 2016-04-12 12:54

    crossgrain, what a funny comment! Thanks for the laugh! Dead people aren’t funny but your comment struck me as humorous. And true. Marty doesn’t have time for all these legal things like the FSST marijuana, EB-5, Gear Up, and other stinky issues. He’s GOT to have time to run for Gov. What a dork he is.

  5. mike from iowa 2016-04-12 13:13

    Can’t accuse Jackley of jumping to conclusions if it takes five or six months to get a reaction from him. Wheels of justice turn slowly. Nick Nemec. You are involved in pheasant hunts. What happens to a bird dog that is this slow to point or retrieve?

  6. Nick Nemec 2016-04-12 13:23

    A non hunting hunting dog is usually left at home.

  7. Roger Cornelius 2016-04-12 13:23

    I truly hope that the tribe tricked Jackley, wouldn’t that be fun?

  8. Porter Lansing 2016-04-12 13:37

    Mr. Jackley … the tribe’s crop hadn’t reached maturity and was certainly worth far from a million bucks. It technically was worth zero. (i.e. It would be like mowing down an oat field a month before there were florets and saying the straw was worth a million) … or calling a zygote an “unborn baby”.

  9. Rorschach 2016-04-12 14:20

    Maybe Marty knows something he’s not telling us yet. Maybe he knows of local tribal members all of a sudden flush with pot or cash from pot sales. Maybe there will be indictments in April of 2018, conveniently before the GOP party primary.

    Or maybe those crooked Flandreau police officers that he never prosecuted and that he covered up for stole the marijuana like they apparently stole evidence of crimes. Whatever the case may be, if it happened on the reservation the AG has no jurisdiction.

  10. mike from iowa 2016-04-12 15:09

    Maybe Jackley had hisself a vision.

  11. Kris 2016-04-12 16:17

    nah dat plant was sold! no way wasted. prolly went on semi back to colorado. da tribe tricked em! hahhaha

  12. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-04-12 16:34

    Roger, it would make a far more interesting story, kinda like how it would be far more interesting to believe Richard Benda was offed by Chinese Triad gangsters, or that the Westerhuises were rubbed out by… well, by whom?

    Maybe Marty can chip in to Lora Hubbel’s campaign and get her P.I. to sniff around Flandreau, too.

  13. mike from iowa 2016-04-12 16:43

    Is there a single straight shooter in your government? I’d hate to hunt pheasants with that outfit.

  14. Porter Lansing 2016-04-12 16:46

    It’s not coming to CO, Kris. Every bud of pot sold here is gown by the retail store selling it. Each plant has a state certified identification number and is under continual video recording from the moment it’s planted ’til it’s harvested months later. And the state checks the tape, tests for unallowed fertilizers and pesticides. We have over 200 pages of rules for growing pot and they’re being continually revised as new questions arise. If the tribe did get it out they probably sold it in Nebraska. They’ll buy anything.

  15. Kris 2016-04-12 16:58

    perter it was sold on da street dude. cant trak dat! no taxs moore profit

  16. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-04-12 17:09

    [Kris, I think you are lying to us. You are pretending to be illiterate. Please stop and engage with us as an honest person with honest observations, opinions, and questions, not this self-stroking satire.]

  17. Porter Lansing 2016-04-12 17:19

    Not, here. Maybe Texas. If they’d elect Ted Cruz they’d fall for anything. :) Bringing pot into Colorado would be like making a batch of moonshine and driving up to Jack Daniels and offering it for sale. We’ve already got plenty. Taking plant to Texas or even Sioux Falls where it’s still a pretty serious crime makes it worth more. Bringing it to where there’s cheap weed anywhere would be a tough sell.
    Just as an aside to this (today’s last word on weed) the new hot market is California. It’ll be voted legal in November and available land for grow operations is in very “HIGH” demand. SoDak just isn’t business friendly and even an impossible to fail business like pot would choose your state last as do so many possible expanding operations of every variety.

  18. Rorschach 2016-04-12 17:23

    Speaking of hunting pheasants, South Dakota is where Dick Cheney was when he shot his friend in the face. “Rooster!!”

  19. Porter Lansing 2016-04-12 17:31

    And you said I made it too easy? I don’t use the word “stupid” and you shouldn’t either, Rshaq.

  20. Mark Winegar 2016-04-12 18:17

    If the AG is so concerned why didn’t he have people there watching the cannabis burn? Oh right, they might have gotten a buzz.

    This is just a feeble attempt to divert attention away from the GOP’s corruption (EB-5, GEAR UP, and more). It won’t work Marty.

  21. Rorschach 2016-04-12 18:20

    Mark, do not discount the possibility that Marty knows more than he’s letting on at this point.

  22. Bob Newland 2016-04-12 18:35

    Nor, Mark, should you discount the possibility that Marty knows less than he’s letting on.

  23. grudznick 2016-04-12 20:31

    Of course they didn’t burn it in a giant slash pile of demon weed. They burned it one fat doobie of a funny cigarette at a time.

  24. MOSES 2016-04-12 20:44

    Will Thune have a say in this matter I mean PHOTO OP.

  25. Porter Lansing 2016-04-12 20:48

    Did you say, “demon gravy”? Remember, hundreds more have died hunting pheasants than enjoying marijuana. I’d say they’re about equally addicting. #HehHehHo

  26. Rorschach 2016-04-12 21:28

    If you’re lucky Porter, Cory will invite you to the next blog hunt where you can wield a shotgun in close proximity to Lee Schoenbeck and his labrapoodles, and Pat Powers. Mary Jane at your discretion.

  27. Porter Lansing 2016-04-12 21:38

    I don’t smoke pot, Rorschach. Anyone who does around guns is crazy. I’m not allowed to hunt with Republicans … court order. #grins

  28. Aimee madigan 2016-04-12 22:56

    So what- it’s their weed-none of our business what they did about it!!

  29. Darrell Solberg 2016-04-12 23:07

    Imagine, Jackley questioning the validity of anything, after his bogus investigations!!!! He is suspicious of them doing what they said that they did. I wonder if he realizes the people of S.D. are suspicious of his findings in his quote, unquote independent investigations!!!!

  30. Peermudd 2016-04-12 23:32

    I wish the AG was as concerned about the theft from SD citizens concerning the illegal sale of lower octane gasoline, marked improperly. They could use that example in a inmate rehab program, on basic criminal economics, white collar crime, slap on the wrist, (The octane deal, was it, a $15K fine?) vs. hold up a convenience store for chump change, do heavy time and get a record. The economics should drive criminals to become GOP campaign donors… Think about this big picture, is this kind of maneuvering much different than than Putin’s Russia? Maybe in scale, but we seem to be on the same road.

  31. grudznick 2016-04-12 23:38

    Mr. Lansing, I know you don’t smoke the pot. One can see the sharp glint in your eye still, not dulled down by the demon weed. But your brain wiring is still a bit odd. Do you do some of the other bad drugs with needles or pills?

  32. Jana 2016-04-12 23:57

    Marty has gone into full on pandering mode. Of course that is one level higher than doing nothing.

  33. grudznick 2016-04-13 00:07

    It doesn’t help most of us except the libbies in Sioux Falls, but young Ms. Stehly who is a big proponent has been elected and will probably start to really change the world out east there.

  34. John Kennedy Claussen 2016-04-13 00:13

    When a Democrat is in a tight race for the nomination or the fall general they usually run to the Reservations for hopeful solvency and clinching….. However, when a Republican is in a tight race for a nomination or the fall general they usually run against the Reservations…. Need I say more?….

  35. Porter Lansing 2016-04-13 01:51

    That’s pretty good, Groodz. Brain wiring. No drugs at all. Just a dram of single malt on Saturday night after ten. I’m wired like a Vietnam Era Vermillion Liberal. Brain like bloody barbed wire and the courage of a lion.

  36. Kris 2016-04-13 10:22

    perter “I don’t smoke pot” yah yah yah! sure ya dont. cant fool us!!!!!!!

  37. Kris 2016-04-13 10:24

    cory why you always throin shade on me?

  38. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-04-13 12:51

    (…because, Kris, you deliberately ape an argot that is not naturally yours.)

  39. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-04-13 12:52

    John KC, I’m surprised that Marty would be working this hard this early to play to those traditional groups. But I guess if a guy is serious about becoming governor, and if a bunch of other people are equally serious about becoming governor, one can never start too early.

  40. Porter Lansing 2016-04-13 13:01

    … argot I love learning new words. WORD OF THE DAY is the first e-mail opened, each morning. Today is “avuncular” as in SoDak is often seen as Minnesota’s “drunk uncle” :)

  41. John Kennedy Claussen 2016-04-13 13:28

    Cory, as we all know, that GOP gubernatorial primary in ’18 is just going to be brutal. I think it is going to make ’02 look conventional in means, if you get my drift.

    Unlike ’02 as well, I think the Democrats could be the benefactors this time. A heated clash between Jackley and Mickelson will probably hand it to Noem. If she runs and can break 35% of the primary vote, that is. A Noem candidacy, however, would probably be a rematch with Sandlin with Sandlin winning this time. If Noem was to run against Huether, I would still give Huether the edge because I do not think the Republicans will ever be able to beat his financial advantage.

    Without Noem in the mix, a damaged Jackley or Mickelson could probably recover for the fall, maybe. But between EB-5, Gear-Up, and a potential brutal GOP primary fight, I would think a Sandlin or a Huether would have the advantage. I think the City elections in Sioux Falls last night speak to this growing want for change in local and state government, which should last through 2018.

    Else, if it goes to a convention with or without Noem, I think Michels could be the eventual convention winner, but Michels will lack the name ID against a Sandlin or a Huether.

    After 2016 and 2018, the GOP will become masters at brokered conventions possibly. But it will be interesting to see if they will know how to hold on to it for the fall contests, however.

  42. John Kennedy Claussen 2016-04-13 13:31

    “benefactors”? benefiters!

  43. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-04-13 15:44

    Porter, you may have witnessed my first ever active use of the word argot. As a bonus, I suggest a new word for your amusing description of South Dakota as Minnesota’s drunk uncle: not avuncular, but vinuncular.

  44. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-04-13 15:52

    John KC, I suspect everyone running for the GOP nomination in 2018 will operate with the Rounds 2002 example clearly in mind. They might all hold their fire for a little bit, waiting to see if maybe the other two will start throwing punches so they can play sweet and innocent like Rounds way back when. But then the other two will see that’s what the third player is trying to do and open fire.

    Of course, given that Mickelson and Jackley are already sparring, it may be too late them for them try playing nice guy. Noem may have an advantage in playing sweet and nice… but then Shantel Krebs jumps in, and there will be blood everywhere.

    But wait: maybe Shantel reads your handicapping of the race, senses 2018 is a Dem year, and hangs on for a second term as Secretary of State. She finds the iPads, keeps staff from stealing the state flag, and then rides to the rescue in 2022 as the brave Republican who can unite the party and save South Dakota from four more years of chaos under a Democratic Governor (her line, not mine).

  45. Porter Lansing 2016-04-13 16:04

    Good one.

  46. Leisah 2016-04-13 16:59

    This is none of Racist Marty Jackley’s business. He has no jurisdiction. So he needs to shut the “f” up and worry about crime on his side of the rez.

  47. John Kennedy Claussen 2016-04-13 17:07

    Cory, your Shantel angle is interesting and enticing. If I was a betting man, however, I would take the 25000 to 1 odds on Michels like a Twins fan in Vegas back in the spring of ’87. It all comes down to whether Noem can break 35% with three big names involved and the further misogyny issue for female Republican gubernatorial candidates, I will allege.

    I also think you are right that the “friendly fire” between Mickelson and Jackley has already begun. World War II did not start on December 7th, rather it started in ’31 when the Japanese invaded Manchuria…. The chain reaction has already begun……

  48. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-04-15 18:30

    If Michels jumps in and splits the misogynist vote (say, 60%?) with Jackley and Mickelson, does Krebs still come out on top by crushing Noem with facts, brains, equal horsewomanship, and a record of achievement in cleaning up Gant’s mess that wins a majority of the lady-friendly primary voters?

  49. Madman 2016-04-26 10:52

    This just in Marty Jackley is going to open an investigation on the moon landings. He has never closed that case, and afterwards he is going to crack open the cold case of edge of the world.

    How about if Jackley just does his real job.

  50. caheidelberger Post author | 2016-04-26 21:53

    Leslie, I also notice that the scientist who coined the term “gateway drug” actually found that nicotine had more gateway influence than pot. Your article notes that alcohol also serves as a gateway drug.

    Neither marijuana, tobacco, nor alcohol will get much sympathy from me in the Senate.

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