News Release-
Seneca Falls, NY, February 9, 2023: The Cayuga Nation recently won an appeal at the
Appellate Division, Fourth Department regarding an illegal cannabis business that Carlin Seneca-John
operates from a shed in a residential zone on Lake Road in Seneca Falls. The Cayuga Nation and
two nearby non-native homeowners sued the Town of Seneca Falls and Seneca-John because the
business—known as “Gramma Approved Sovereign Trades”—is purportedly selling marijuana
from a front lawn shed on a residential street in violation of the Town’s zoning code.
The suit alleges the Town has not enforced its zoning code. Although Seneca-John is a
Cayuga Nation citizen, his illegal operation is not sanctioned by the Nation. The Seneca County
Supreme Court initially dismissed the case finding the Nation and local homeowners did not have
“standing” to file the suit. The Appellate Division unanimously reversed the lower court’s
determination.
“The Cayuga Nation enforces its own laws to regulate businesses on our Reservation, and
we expect that municipalities will do the same with respect to non-Cayuga business,” said Clint
Halftown, the Nation’s federal representative. Halftown also explained that “the Nation also
commenced an action in the Nation’s court due to Seneca-John’s refusal to comply with the
Nation’s business ordinance.” The Nation’s Court issued a judgment against Seneca-John for
significant monetary penalties.
“Now that the Appellate Division has confirmed the suit must go forward in State Supreme
Court, the Nation remains hopeful that the Town will take action to shutter this business and return
peace to the residential area,” Halftown added.
About the Cayuga Nation-
The Cayuga Nation is a federally recognized sovereign Indian nation established in 1794 by the
Treaty of Canandaigua. The Nation’s sovereign and federally protected 64,015-acre reservation is
located in Seneca and Cayuga Counties in the State of New York. The Cayuga Nation Council,
led by Clint Halftown, Tim Twoguns, Gary Wheeler, Donald Jimerson and Michael Barringer,
serves as the official governing body for the entire Nation. With more than 500 citizens across the
country, the Cayuga Nation and its leadership provide national benefits to Cayuga Nation citizens,
including financial support, cultural enrichment opportunities, food distribution and community
events, among other benefits. These activities have allowed Cayuga Nation citizens to return to
their homeland with an opportunity for housing and employment, which helps preserve the Cayuga
Nation’s culture.
