In a pioneering move, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) in North Carolina, which recently launched medical marijuana sales, is now gearing up to introduce recreational cannabis to its community. The Tribal Council of the EBCI voted decisively to amend the Tribal Code, paving the way for the sale of recreational marijuana, as reported by the Smoky Mountain News.
The amendment, known as Ordinance 63, passed with an 8-2 vote, expanding the existing framework that initially allowed for medical cannabis sales. This development underscores the tribe’s autonomy to establish marijuana programs on their lands, independent of state regulations that deem marijuana illegal in North Carolina.
The EBCI initiated medical marijuana sales on April 20 through the Great Smoky Cannabis Co., a 10,000-square-foot dispensary located on the Qualla Boundary and operated by Qualla Enterprises.
However, the transition to recreational sales will not be immediate. According to Qualla Enterprises General Manager Forrest Parker, tribal members can expect access to recreational products within “30-45 days,” with the general public following shortly after, within a “60-75-day range,” as reported by the Asheville Citizen Times.
The decision to expand into recreational marijuana sales was rooted in a September 2023 vote by EBCI members, where approximately 2,400 individuals supported the move compared to 1,000 opposed. Once recreational sales commence, the existing medical marijuana program will continue, serving consumers holding EBCI-issued cards, including non-tribal North Carolina residents aged 21 and above, according to the Smoky Mountain News.
