In a historic move, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has opened North Carolina's first medical marijuana dispensary on tribal land, marking the first time marijuana can be legally purchased in the state. The grand opening of the Great Smoky Cannabis Co., a 10,000-square-foot dispensary, took place on April 20, a date recognized as the national cannabis holiday.
The dispensary, located in the Qualla Boundary, a sovereign nation with its own laws and court system, is the only business licensed by the tribe to sell cannabis. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians legalized medical marijuana in 2021 and began harvesting its first plants last year. The tribe's marijuana laws only apply to tribal land, and marijuana remains illegal in North Carolina and federally.
The dispensary offers a range of products, including cannabis tinctures, gummies, vapes, edibles, and flowers, all of which are grown and produced locally. Forrest Parker, general manager for Qualla Enterprises, the tribal company that manages the dispensary, said during the opening ceremony, “This project will change the trajectory of their lives forever. It will be a conduit to generations of social, economic, and spiritual growth, unlike anything that’s ever been witnessed.”
However, the dispensary's opening has not been without controversy. North Carolina Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd have raised concerns about how state and federal laws will be upheld. They wrote a letter to local, state, and federal law enforcement questioning how the Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement Administration would enforce federal law on marijuana cultivation and sale in and around the reservation.
In response, Sheyahshe Littledave, spokeswoman for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, said, "The Eastern Band is establishing a model for safety and responsibility in an industry that is already legal in 36 states, the District of Columbia, and tribal lands across the United States."
The dispensary currently only sells medical marijuana to those with a medical card. Any N.C. resident age 21 or over with any of 18 health conditions can apply for a medical card, and the dispensary also accepts valid patient cards from other states. However, the scope of marijuana sales could expand soon. Last September, tribe members voted to approve the adult use of marijuana on tribal land, and the Tribal Council is currently discussing rules for recreational marijuana.
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