Tribe launches North Carolina's first recreational marijuana sales on July 4

QUALLA BOUNDARY, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina's first recreational marijuana sales to a limited population began on the Fourth of July.

The Great Smoky Cannabis Company announced on social media it would begin recreational marijuana sales on the Fourth, to Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribal members along with other recognized federal tribe members only.

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Marijuana use is legal on the Qualla Boundary, but remains illegal in North Carolina.

When the dispensary opened in April, it was already anticipating adult use sales.

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“It will obviously require a lot more staff, a lot more capacity and we’re really excited for that. And you are right for us, we are producing the same quality of highly tested, highly regulated safe cannabis as possible,” said Forrest Parker, Executive Director Qualla Enterprises LLC.

The dispensary began with medical marijuana sales.

In June, EBCI Tribal Council approved adult-use legislation after the tribe voted to support it in September of 2023.

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