Green History: How the Eastern Band of Cherokee brought marijuana to North Carolina
BPR’s Lilly Knoepp has been following the evolution of marijuana laws on the Qualla Boundary since 2018. The tribe first legalized medical marijuana in 2021 and in 2023 passed a referendum to sell recreational marijuana.
BPR followed the approval of policy and budgeting around marijuana through the Eastern Band of Cherokee (EBCI)’s Tribal Council. The EBCI has placed their bets on legalization as a new revenue stream with about $50 million invested into the cannabis venture which includes a farm, dispensary and workers to process the product into 265 products from edible treats to smokable buds.
BPR reported exclusively from the farm as well as attending the openings of the dispensary as it began to sell medical marijuana followed by recreational marijuana.
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Gerard Albert IIIWhen the Great Smoky Cannabis Dispensary opens its doors on Saturday, history will be made as the first place to purchase recreational marijuana in North Carolina - and the Southeast. -
Gerard Albert IIIThe Eastern Band of Cherokee dispensary became the first in the Southeast to have legal recreational marijuana sales. More than 4,000 customers showed up at the Great Smoky Cannabis Company on the first day of recreational weed being sold in North Carolina. -
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Tribal Council approved recreational marijuana sales on the Qualla Boundary. Sales will start for enrolled tribal members first in about a month while sales for the general public are expected to start in about two months. -
Lilly KnoeppGreat Smoky Cannabis Company opened its doors to medical marijuana card holders standing in line through drizzling rain on Saturday. Myrtle Driver Johnson, a Beloved Woman, an honorary distinction among the Eastern Band of Cherokee, made the first purchase. -
Lilly KnoeppRecreational marijuana will be available for legal sale for the first time in North Carolina in September at the Eastern Band of Cherokee cannabis dispensary.
