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Qualla, NC: Members of the North Carolina Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians have begun selling cannabis products to patrons ages 21 and older, regardless of whether they are members of federal recognized Indian tribes.
Tribal members initially began selling marijuana products to authorized patients in April. In July, they began engaging in adult-use sales exclusively to other tribal members. On Saturday, they expanded sales to anyone over 21 years of age. That day, an estimated 4,000 customers were on hand to purchase cannabis products.
According to data published in May in the trade journal Marijuana Business Daily, federally recognized tribes are currently operating cannabis businesses in nine states: California, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Washington.
Neither the recreational use nor the medical use of cannabis is permitted in North Carolina. Senate lawmakers earlier this year advanced legislation to regulate medical cannabis access, but House leaders failed to take up the measure. Statewide polling shows that 78 percent of North Carolina voters support legalizing cannabis for eligible patients.
In response to the Cherokee tribe’s actions, Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC) introduced federal legislation (HR 5323) seeking to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions that permit marijuana sales. The bill is not anticipated to receive a hearing.
“}]] Adult-use sales were previously limited to members of federally recognized tribes Read More