North Carolina Welcomes Its First Adult-Use Cannabis Dispensary on Tribal Land

NEW YORK- In a groundbreaking move for North Carolina’s cannabis industry, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is poised to unveil the state’s inaugural adult-use cannabis dispensary. Slated for an April 20th opening, this development not only signifies a notable shift in the region’s approach to cannabis but also establishes the tribe as a frontrunner in the burgeoning sector.

According to a recent report by the Charlotte Observer, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) plans to inaugurate the dispensary next month, coinciding with a date famously celebrated in cannabis culture. This venture will be operated through Qualla Enterprises LLC, a tribal subsidiary, and will take residence within a repurposed bingo hall.

Lee Griffin, the Human Resources Director of Qualla Enterprises, highlighted the symbolic significance of the opening date during a meeting with tribal officials, citing April 20 as “the biggest revenue date for cannabis.” He further revealed the company’s ambitious expansion plans, including a substantial hiring initiative aimed at bolstering the workforce from 69 to over 350 employees in anticipation of the new adult-use operation.

This initiative follows the tribe’s progressive stance on cannabis; having legalized medical cannabis in 2021, the EBCI went a step further last year. The tribe’s electorate within the Qualla Boundary—a 57,000-acre territory under tribal jurisdiction—overwhelmingly supported the legalization of cannabis for adult use.

The upcoming dispensary is poised to be not only the state’s first but also its sole provider of adult-use cannabis, pending broader legislative reform. North Carolina’s current statutes rigidly prohibit cannabis use and possession, including for medicinal purposes. Last year, an attempt to legalize therapeutic cannabis access was thwarted in the House of Representatives for the second consecutive year, a decision that came shortly before the tribe’s adoption of its adult-use cannabis policy.

As North Carolina grapples with its stance on cannabis, the EBCI’s pioneering efforts could catalyze discussions and potentially influence future legislative changes at the state level. For now, the tribe’s dispensary will serve as a critical test case and a beacon for the cannabis industry’s potential within the region.