In Cherokee, North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has initiated the sale of marijuana and cannabis products to individuals aged 21 and above at its tribal dispensary, in defiance of the state laws prohibiting possession and use of the drug. On Saturday, the Great Smoky Cannabis Co. on the tribe’s western lands commenced the sales with a significant turnout, marking a historic moment according to a post on its Facebook page.
The dispensary has been operational since July 4, offering recreational marijuana products to adults belonging to the tribe or any other federally recognized tribe through in-store purchases or drive-thru services. Initially catering to medical marijuana needs for adults, the dispensary has now expanded its services to include recreational use, despite marijuana use being deemed illegal in North Carolina, highlighting the tribe’s authority to regulate cannabis as a sovereign entity.
Last September, tribal members voted in favor of permitting adult recreational use on their reservation, prompting the tribal council to create regulations for the cannabis market. The legislation, passed by the council in June, effectively decriminalized cannabis on the Eastern Band’s Qualla Boundary land. While some opposition was faced, including proposed legislation that could endanger federal highway funding for tribes and states legalizing marijuana, the council moved forward with the decision.
Situated near the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, the Great Smoky Cannabis marijuana sales center is anticipated to serve as a significant revenue source for the tribe, which boasts a membership of 14,000 individuals, as it broadens its customer base with the new offerings.
