Settler Cannabis: From Gold Rush to Green Rush in Indigenous Northern California

In Settler Cannabis, Kaitlin Reed explores how the unregulated cannabis production on Indigenous lands in northwest California has resulted in the commodification and control of nature for profit, affecting Indigenous cultures, lands, waters, and bodies. She argues that the cannabis industry is just the latest example of settler colonial resource extraction and wealth accumulation and offers a path toward an alternative future that starts with the return of land to Indigenous stewardship.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 308 pages
Publication date: 10 July 2023
Publisher: University of Washington Press

Young countercultural back-to-the-land settlers flocked to northwestern California beginning in the 1960s, and by the 1970s, unregulated cannabis production proliferated on Indigenous lands. As of 2021, the California cannabis economy was valued at $3.5 billion. In Settler Cannabis, Kaitlin Reed demonstrates how this green rush is only the most recent example of settler colonial resource extraction and wealth accumulation. Situating the cannabis industry within this broader legacy, the author traces patterns of resource rushing—first gold, then timber, then fish, and now cannabis—to reveal the ongoing impacts on Indigenous cultures, lands, waters, and bodies.

Reed shares this history to inform the path toward an alternative future, one that starts with the return of land to Indigenous stewardship and rejects the commodification and control of nature for profit. Combining archival research with testimonies and interviews with tribal members, tribal employees, and settler-state employees, Settler Cannabis offers a groundbreaking analysis of the environmental consequences of cannabis cultivation that foregrounds Indigenous voices, experiences, and histories.

The cannabis industry in California has experienced significant growth and development over the past few decades. In 2021, the state's cannabis economy was valued at $3.5 billion, making it one of the largest in the country. However, this growth has not come without its challenges, particularly for Indigenous communities that have long been marginalized and affected by the drug war.

One of the most significant impacts of the cannabis industry on Indigenous communities has been the loss of land and resources. Many Indigenous tribes have been forced to relocate or give up their ancestral lands to make way for cannabis cultivation. This has led to a loss of traditional livelihoods, cultural practices, and access to natural resources, such as water and medicinal plants.

In addition to the loss of land, the cannabis industry has also brought with it environmental concerns. The cultivation of cannabis requires large amounts of water, which can be scarce in some areas. This has led to water pollution, soil erosion, and the depletion of aquifers. Cannabis production also requires pesticides and fertilizers, which can harm the environment and contribute to the degradation of ecosystems.

Another issue that has affected Indigenous communities is the lack of representation and participation in the cannabis industry. While the industry has brought economic opportunities to some Indigenous people, it has also perpetuated systemic inequalities and discrimination. Many Indigenous people have been excluded from the industry due to their race, ethnicity, or criminal history, which has led to a lack of economic empowerment and social justice.

Despite these challenges, there are also efforts underway to address the impacts of the cannabis industry on Indigenous communities. Some Indigenous tribes have been involved in the cultivation of cannabis, and have used it as a way to reclaim their cultural heritage and economic sovereignty. There are also organizations that are working to promote the participation of Indigenous people in the cannabis industry and to advocate for the protection of their land and resources.

In conclusion, the cannabis industry in California has had a significant impact on Indigenous communities, both positive and negative. While the industry has brought economic opportunities to some, it has also led to the loss of land, resources, and environmental concerns. It is important to address these issues and to promote the participation and representation of Indigenous people in the cannabis industry. By doing so, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295751566