Cherokee adult recreational cannabis sales begin Saturday
Cannabis sales and consumption will be legal for any adult over the age of 21 on the Qualla Boundary beginning this weekend. File photo
Beginning this Saturday, Sept. 7, anyone over the age of 21 will be able to purchase and use marijuana on the Qualla Boundary.
This means anyone over the age of 21 from anywhere in the country can purchase cannabis products at the dispensary. While transportation or use of the products are still illegal in counties surrounding the Qualla Boundary, as well as the rest of North Carolina, use is permitted on the boundary.
The potential transportation of cannabis has been a point of scrutiny from some surrounding law enforcement, and the district attorney’s office said in a statement several months ago that while it respects the sovereignty of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, it will prosecute anyone who breaks the law in one of the counties that comprise the prosecutorial district.
The vote to legalize adult use of marijuana came on Sept. 7 of last year and about 70% of enrolled members supported the measure.
The question tribal members voted on was: “Do you support legalizing the possession and use of cannabis for persons who are at least twenty-one (21) years old, and require the EBCI Tribal Council to develop legislation to regulate the market?” A resolution to that effect was submitted to Tribal Council in January.
On April 20 of this year — known as 4/20, a sort of holiday in the stoner community — the Great Smoky Cannabis Company dispensary opened for business but could only serve those with medical cards. People from other states — as far away as Pennsylvania — came to the dispensary just to see how the dispensary would look, something that may be seen again in even larger magnitude come Sept. 7.
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On June 6 of this year, Tribal Council approved the ordinance legalizing adult use. While some details had to be ironed out, things happened quickly, and on July 4, the dispensary began selling to any enrolled member of any federally recognized tribe.
The tribe expects its cannabis industry to become extremely lucrative, extremely quickly. Neither medical nor recreational cannabis is currently legal in North Carolina, Tennessee or South Carolina. Qualla Enterprises anticipates employing somewhere around 500 people and making enough money within a couple of years to send the tribe $260 million annually in profits. It’s also expected to make money for the tribe through generating tribal levy, akin to a sales tax.
The medical marijuana program, approved in 2021, will still serve those with EBCI-issued cards. The Cannabis Control Board accepts applications from North Carolina residents over the age of 21. The cost for issuance to residents is $100 and $50 for enrolled EBCI members. There are several approved conditions, including anxiety disorder, eating disorders and cancer. Applications can be submitted at ebci-ccb.org.
The Great Smoky Cannabis Company dispensary is located at 91 Bingo Loop Road. Anyone wishing to purchase cannabis products from the dispensary must present an ID to prove they are over the age of 21.
