Current:Home > ScamsRecreational marijuana sales begin on North Carolina tribal land, drug illegal in state otherwise -Elevate Capital Network
Recreational marijuana sales begin on North Carolina tribal land, drug illegal in state otherwise
View
Date:2025-04-15 22:05:52
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians began selling marijuana and cannabis products to any adult 21 or over starting Saturday at its tribe-owned dispensary in North Carolina, where possession or use of the drug is otherwise illegal.
A post on the Facebook page of Great Smoky Cannabis Co., located on the Eastern Band of Cherokee’s western tribal lands, called the day “history in the making” with a video showing a line of people waiting outside the shop shortly before sales began at 10 a.m.
The outlet already started July 4 to sell in-store or drive-thru products for recreational use to adults enrolled in the tribe or any other federally recognized tribe. It had opened its doors in April initially for adult medical marijuana purchases.
Marijuana possession or use is otherwise illegal in North Carolina, but the tribe can pass rules related to cannabis as a sovereign nation. Of North Carolina and its surrounding states, only Virginia allows for the legal recreational use of marijuana statewide.
Tribal members voted in a referendum last September backing adult recreational use on their reservation and telling the tribal council to develop legislation to regulate such a market. Those details were hammered out by the council, approving language in June that effectively decriminalized cannabis on Eastern Band land called the Qualla Boundary.
The move was not without its opponents. Shortly before the referendum, Republican U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards introduced legislation that would have removed federal highway funding from tribes and states that have legalized marijuana — a bill that ultimately died.
The Great Smoky Cannabis marijuana sales center, located near the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, is predicted to be more of a revenue-generator for the 14,000-member tribe as its customer base is expanded.
veryGood! (917)
Related
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- 5 people fatally shot, teen injured near Las Vegas, and a suspect has been arrested, police say
- RHONY Alum Kelly Bensimon Calls Off Wedding to Scott Litner 4 Days Before Ceremony
- Sienna Miller Shares Sweet Insight Into Family Life After Welcoming Baby No. 2
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Ford recalls more than 550,000 F-150 pickups over faulty transmission
- Bear euthanized after 'causing minor injuries' at Gatlinburg park concession stand
- Princess Anne Experiencing Memory Loss Related to Hospitalization
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Rip currents have turned deadly this summer. Here's how to spot them and what to do if you're caught in one.
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Ulta’s Summer Beauty Sale Is Here—Score Redken, Estée Lauder, Sun Bum & More Beauty Faves up to 45% Off
- E! Staff Tries Juliette Has A Gun: Is This the Brand’s Best Perfume?
- Nashville’s Covenant School was once clouded by a shooting. It’s now brightened by rainbows.
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Crazy Town Lead Singer Shifty Shellshock Dead at 49
- A Wyoming highway critical for commuters will reopen three weeks after a landslide
- Staff member in critical condition after fight at Wisconsin youth prison
Recommendation
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
Consolidated, ‘compassionate’ services pledged for new Illinois Department of Early Childhood
To understand Lane Kiffin's rise at Mississippi, you have to follow along with Taylor Swift
Who can work Wisconsin’s elections? New restrictions won’t affect much, attorney general says
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Massachusetts Senate debates bill to expand adoption of renewable energy
Judge alters Trump’s gag order, letting him talk about witnesses, jury after hush money conviction
Longtime Predators GM David Poile, captain Shea Weber highlight 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame class