A Cherokee tribal-owned medical marijuana dispensary in western North Carolina has expanded its sales to include cannabis products for adult recreational use, following approval from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians governing board. The Great Smoky Cannabis Co. began selling recreational marijuana on July 4th to adults aged 21 and older who are enrolled Eastern Band members or members of other federally recognized tribes. A recent social media post from the company marked the first legal sale of recreational marijuana on Eastern Band land known as the Qualla Boundary. Sales to nonmembers are anticipated to start later this summer.
In April, the Great Smoky Cannabis Co. opened for medical marijuana purchases for adults with a tribe medical cannabis patient card or an out-of-state approved medical marijuana card. Last September, tribal members voted in favor of adult recreational use on their reservation, prompting the tribal council to develop legislation to regulate this market. In response to the referendum, the council approved language last month that decriminalizes cannabis on the Qualla Boundary and updates the tribe’s laws accordingly.
Although marijuana possession is illegal in North Carolina, the federally recognized tribe has the authority to enact rules regarding cannabis as a sovereign nation. Among the states in the region, only Virginia permits recreational marijuana use statewide. Qualla Enterprises, the tribe’s cannabis subsidiary, initially announced that adult-use sales would be restricted to tribal members. However, plans are underway to extend sales to non-members starting in August, as stated by a Qualla Enterprises executive.
The Great Smoky Cannabis marijuana sales center, situated near the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, is projected to boost revenue for the tribe, which consists of approximately 14,000 members, as its customer base expands. During a council meeting last month, the tribal council voted to repeal two provisions of the new adult-use ordinance. One provision that was overturned had prohibited non-tribal government-owned businesses from selling hemp on the Qualla Boundary. Another provision had permitted medical marijuana cardholders to cultivate up to four plants in homes without children.