The Great Smoky Cannabis Company in Cherokee, North Carolina has now been open for more than a year, marking a milestone that some believed wouldn’t arrive without legal or political disruption.
“From day one to year one—none of this would be possible without YOU”, said the company in a social media post. “Here’s to making history together!”
Since sales began on September 7, 2024, the store has transformed from a bold experiment into what may be the largest cannabis outlet in the country. Millions of customers have visited over the past 12 months, generating tens of millions in revenue for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and fueling steady economic growth in the community. The store stands out as the only location within North Carolina where recreational cannabis can be purchased legally.
The operation occupies a former bingo hall that underwent a $50 million renovation into a sprawling retail space. It features both in-person shopping and a drive-thru, along with a digital ordering system that has made it easy for residents and visitors alike to access marijuana despite the state’s prohibition. The tribe also launched a rewards program and mobile app in recent months to expand services and strengthen customer loyalty.
Equally striking has been the absence of problems that opponents once predicted. State lawmakers who warned of widespread arrests have seen their fears go unrealized. Over the course of an entire year, no reports of arrests have emerged from customers leaving tribal land with marijuana products, underscoring the tribe’s ability to regulate responsibly while coexisting with state law.
The store’s success has become a model for others. Tribes across the country, including the Omaha Tribe in Nebraska, have pointed to Cherokee as proof that sovereign nations can build profitable and well-regulated cannabis markets even in prohibition states.
One year after its debut, the Great Smoky Cannabis Company stands as a clear example of how sovereignty and persistence can open doors in the marijuana industry. For the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the milestone is more than an anniversary—it is validation that their decision to take the risk was both possible and profitable.
The Great Smoky Cannabis Company, located at 91 Bingo Loop Rd in Cherokee, is open 10am to 10pm, seven days a week.
