A marijuana superstore, located in a former bingo hall that cost over $50 million to refurbish, will open to everyone 21 and older on tribal land in North Carolina by the end of August.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) Tribal Council voted last week to legalize recreational marijuana. In September, EBCI members overwhelmingly supported a referendum asking the council to develop legislation to regulate the market.
Now, the Great Smoky Cannabis Company is planning to open their doors to everyone 21 and older by the end of August, or possible a week after, becoming the first location to legally sell recreational marijuana in North Carolina history. The outlet already made history as the first in the state to allow medical marijuana sales when they opened exclusively for patients on 4/20 this year.
The Great Smoky Cannabis Company is located near Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, roughly three hours from Charlotte and 4.5 hours from Raleigh. There will be no requirement for patrons to be tribal members, allowing anyone 21 and older to purchase marijuana and marijuana products.
While the tribe permits nontribal members to purchase and possess marijuana and marijuana products, those caught with it outside of tribal land on North Carolina grounds still face a misdemeanor charge for possessing even a single gram and a felony charge for possessing over 1.5 ounces.
