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South Dakota Indian Tribe Signs Contract With Colorado Marijuana Growing Group

FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) - An Indian tribe in South Dakota that plans to start selling marijuana for recreational and medicinal purposes has chosen a Colorado-based company to grow and distribute the drug on the reservation.

The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe on Wednesday signed a contract with Monarch America, Inc. The company will be responsible for designing the single, indoor site where the drug will be cultivated and sold.

The tribe earlier this month legalized the growth of marijuana on the reservation's land. Tribal leaders hope to begin selling the drug by Jan. 1.

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Leaders estimate the community could earn a monthly profit of $2 million.

The prospect of pot on tribal land is made possible by a U.S. Justice Department decision in December.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has said any changes in tribal laws won't affect any non-Indians or any non-tribal lands.

(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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