Cambridge, Wis., May 14, 2025 — The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) is giving a first-of-its-kind look into the state of Indigenous cannabis enterprises with a new map of Tribal Cannabis and Hemp Programs (above), created in collaboration with leading cannabis law firm Vicente LLP. Developed through in-depth research and interviews with Tribal leaders, the ICIA’s Tribal Cannabis and Hemp Programs Map demonstrates the growth of this new regulated market.
Since the first regulated Indigenous cannabis storefront opened almost 10 years ago in Washington state, dozens of sovereign Indigenous communities have created their own unique regulatory systems to govern cannabis cultivation, production and sales. In addition to cannabis, 52 Tribal communities operate federally approved hemp cultivation programs. With 574 federally recognized Indigenous communities nationwide and 358 in the continental United States, approximately 26% of Indigenous communities in the continental U.S. are involved with cannabis or hemp programs.
The map shows the locations of Indigenous cannabis programs in blue and hemp programs in red. In many cases, the clusters of programs on the map denote tribal and Indigenous-led enterprises that are already working together to create successful supply chains and distribution networks.
“Indigenous cannabis programs are a vital piece of America’s cannabis movement,” said Andrew Livingston, Director of Economics and Market Analysis at Vicente LLP. “And these businesses deserve recognition. The goal of our study is to provide information on how different Indigenous communities have established their regulated cannabis programs, the size of the economic opportunity, and the ways that regulating cannabis can be structured in the future to further the goals of each community.”
Data powered by ICIA and Vicente LLP shows that the Indigenous cannabis industry is trending upward in terms of jobs, community development, and overall industry growth, with many Tribes currently scaling to meet demands for global cannabis distribution. Today, Indigenous cannabis presents one of the industry’s largest opportunities in new markets and supply chains.
“This research project will highlight the thoughtful work that has gone into these sovereign regulatory programs as well as how these businesses affect local employment and revenue for community services,” said ICIA founder Rob Pero. “Together, we hope to inform, inspire and empower other Indigenous communities considering cannabis as well as policy makers around the world.”
ICIA is creating equity in cannabis for Indigenous communities by bringing together key players, developing economic opportunities and supporting Indigenous voices at the state, national and international levels. Through information-sharing initiatives and research projects like this one, events like the annual National Indigenous Cannabis Industry and Policy Summit in Washington D.C., statewide campaigns and other programming, ICIA fights to create opportunity and equity for Indigenous communities.
Information for the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association’s Tribal Cannabis and Hemp map, powered by Vicente, is pulled from all accessible data, including USDA directory, in-market research and relationship data, as of April 2024. The comprehensive directory is available to ICIA members and upon request.
