The Great Smoky Cannabis Co. dispensary announced via social media that it would open its doors for adult-use recreational marijuana sales on September 7, the 1st in NC.
The landscape of recreational marijuana in North Carolina is set for a significant shift. On August 1, the Great Smoky Cannabis Co. in Cherokee announced via social media that it would open its doors for adult-use recreational marijuana sales on September 7.
This launch will mark a historic moment, making the dispensary the first in the state to offer recreational marijuana to those over 21 years old, a fact that the residents of North Carolina can take pride in.
Operated by Qualla Enterprises, the dispensary is backed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), had already ventured into medical marijuana sales since April 20.
For now, only individuals over 21 possessing a tribal ID or a medical marijuana card can make purchases at the dispensary.
However, the doors will open wider in September to welcome all eligible adults. The Great Smoky Cannabis Co. offers a diverse range of cannabis products, including concentrates, flowers, and edibles, and operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.
The EBCI, a sovereign nation with its governance and institutions, resides primarily on the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina.
This move into the recreational marijuana market is seen as a substantial economic opportunity for the tribe, potentially bringing in significant revenue despite the drug remaining illegal in the rest of North Carolina.
Dispensary officials have projected the market could handle up to 80,000 pounds of marijuana, though actual sales will depend on the tribe's investments in the dispensary and its cultivation operations.
While 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana, North Carolina has remained resistant. Despite ongoing proposals, state legislators have yet to pass laws permitting either medical or recreational use.
Nationally, there has been a movement toward reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug, potentially paving the way for it to be federally prescribed as medication. President Joe Biden's administration took steps in this direction in May.
However, opposition remains, particularly from Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards. He has voiced concerns about the impact of marijuana on youth and introduced the "Stop Pot Act," aiming to penalize states and tribes that legalize marijuana by cutting federal highway funds.
This bill, however, did not progress beyond a referral to a subcommittee. If this bill were to pass, it could potentially affect the operations and future of the Great Smoky Cannabis Co.
As the Great Smoky Cannabis Co. prepares for its September opening, it symbolizes more than just a new business venture.
It represents a pioneering step for the EBCI and a potential catalyst for change in North Carolina's stance on marijuana.
The potential influence of this venture on broader legislative shifts in the state is a matter of great interest, but it stands as a landmark moment in the region's cannabis landscape.
