Recreational marijuana could become available for North Carolina residents through a ballot referendum by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians set for September.
The tribal council last week approved a ballot question for the tribe’s September 7 election to allow members to vote on legalizing marijuana possession and sales from the Qualla Boundary about 45 miles west of Asheville.
If approved, sales would eventually open to anyone over the age of 21, building on a tribal medical marijuana program that opened to North Carolina residents in June.
While funding issues have delayed ongoing construction of what tribal leaders hope will become the world’s largest medical marijuana retail outlet near Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, they’ve told the media Qualla Enterprises—the tribe’s marijuana business—has already grown $25 million worth of cannabis.
The federally recognized tribe has about 14,000 members, including roughly 9,600 who live in the Qualla Boundary. The tribe initially decriminalized marijuana possession in 2021. Its medical marijuana program will be the first to supply cannabis in the Old North State.
Read more at Marijuana Moment