Actor, comedian and musician in The Blues Brothers Jim Belushi (68) has been making his way as a farmer in recent years. His first and only crop is cannabis. Last week, he opened a dispensary for recreational cannabis sales in an unusual location: on the Saint Regis (Akwesasne) Mohawk Tribe territory. In other words, a reservation for native Americans – as we call Indians these days – in upstate New York.
Jim Belushi farms well with his craft cannabis
Jim Belushi we also know as the brother of legendary and early-deceased Blues Brothers actor John Belushi. In 2015, Jim had had enough of Hollywood and bought a farm in the state of Oregon, where he started growing cannabis on 38 acres of fertile farmland in Eagle Point. Oregon was one of the first states in the U.S. to legalize recreational cannabis, hence the location.
Since then, Belushi’s Farm has also established branches in the states of Colorado, Oklahoma, Illinois and Massachusetts. And so as of last week, when the burping actor joined representatives of Native Americans in cutting the ribbon on the dispensary, Jim’s organic craft cannabis is also for sale in New York.
Portion of proceeds from cannabis sales goes to ‘tribal programs’
Under U.S. law, the native, aboriginal inhabitants of the U.S. may also legally grow and sell marijuana (and open casinos, for example) on the territory of their reservations. Eager use is now being made of this, the most recent example being the Belushi Farm dispensary on State Route 37 in the town of Akwesasne, near the US-Canadian border in Franklin County.
The majority of the shares of this newest Belushi franchise cannabis store, by the way, are owned by Saint Regis tribal member Zach Oakes. According to the council that governs the reservation in New York, the proceeds from their cannabis sales go to “tribal programs and services” for the Mohawks.
Native Americans are ahead of the state with legal cannabis sales
In December 2021, the Saint Regis Tribal Council began granting licenses for cannabis dispensaries. In doing so, the Mohawks are crazily well ahead of the licenses that New York State itself issues to legal cannabis retailers, reports local news site Syracuse.com.
In fact; the Indians’ weed stores are currently the only (!) ones operational in New York State since possession of marijuana was legalized there for people 21 and older on April 21, 2021. However, according to authorities, “a limited number of licenses” will still be issued this year to ordinary – that is, not dispensaries run by native Americans.
Weed business is popular among Native Americans
But for now, Native Americans in New York still have the entire legal cannabis kingdom to themselves, with a dozen dispensaries on the Mohawks’ territory in Akwesasne. Well only … they do have to share the lucrative cannabis pie with their brother nations of the Cayuga Nation, the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Oneida Indian Nation. For they too have all already opened dispensaries or cannabis farms on their lands.
By the way, if you want to follow the merry adventures of acting cannabis farmer Jim Belushi, we recommend watching the reality series “Growing Belushi” on DiscoveryPlus!
Best cannabis strains to join in on the fun
It’s no surprise that cannabis is very popular, among native Americans and the rest of the world population. Chances are that you are into it as well and that might cause you to want to grow your own stash. The Hulkberry Strain would be a good option to start with. This is a very potent strain with a high THC level, that will definitely make you feel good. Not just about your own growing abilities, but about your life in general.
