The Great Smoky Cannabis Company had over 4,000 patrons in its first weekend.
Located on the tribal land of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in Cherokee (91 Bingo Loop Rd), the marijuana superstore opened its doors to everyone 21 and older at 10am on Saturday, September 7. Between Saturday and Sunday, the store had over 4,000 customers purchase over 10,000 units of marijuana and marijuana products.
During their opening, the Great Smoky Cannabis Company offered over 300 different marijuana products, including dried flower, prerolls, topicals, tinctures, concentrates and a variety of edibles such as cookies, brownies and gummies. The store says they plan to increase their offering to over 500 products by January.
The store opened Saturday with an estimated 300 people waiting in line. The first person in line was there at 1am, a full nine hours prior to the store’s opening. Despite there being over 4,000 customers in the first two days, and despite marijuana remaining illegal in North Carolina, there have been no reported arrests by any of the store’s customers or employees.
The Great Smoky Cannabis Company, located at the home of a former bingo hall that cost over $50 million to refurbish, initially opened on April 20, exclusively serving tribal members with medical marijuana cards. Recreational sales were introduced on July 4, but remained limited to the tribe. However, starting September 7, the store expanded access to all customers aged 21 and older, offering an extensive selection of cannabis products.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians legalized medical marijuana in 2021. In November 2023, tribal members approved an ordinance urging the tribal council to legalize recreational marijuana, which they did the following year.
