Marijuana Sales to be Legalized in Western North Carolina After Vote on Cherokee Indian Reservation
CHEROKEE, N.C. — In a historic move, marijuana sales will soon be legal in western North Carolina following a referendum vote on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) reservation. According to unofficial poll results, 2,464 individuals voted in favor of legalizing possession of marijuana, while 1,057 voted against it.
Support for the legalization of marijuana was evident among voters on the reservation, with many citing potential economic benefits and medicinal properties as driving factors. “It’ll bring a lot of tourism and a lot of money into our tribe,” said Alea Tisho, one of the voters who favored the referendum. Similarly, Robert Martens expressed optimism about the financial and medical advantages that marijuana legalization could bring to the tribe.
Local residents provided a further glimpse into the marijuana industry’s existing presence in the area. Workers just miles away from Cherokee disclosed that they have been cultivating marijuana plants for over a year, estimating a staggering four tons of plants secured behind barbed wire fences. Jonathan Buddy Johnson, one of the workers, emphasized the potential health benefits of marijuana compared to synthetic opioids, stating, “You have more people dying from the white man’s opioids and man-made stuff than you do from marijuana.”
To accommodate the anticipated surge in demand, the EBCI tribe is currently repurposing an old bingo hall to create what is described as the largest cannabis dispensary store in the world. The store and accompanying growing operation have the potential to employ up to 400 individuals and offer around 350 different products for sale.
While the majority of voters supported the legalization of marijuana, some individuals voiced concerns about potential abuse of the system. Rhonda Ledford, who has yet to make up her mind about the issue, stated, “I think it can help some people, but I’m also afraid that some people are going to take advantage of the system like they do any other system.”
The move to legalize marijuana on the EBCI reservation marks a significant development for North Carolina, where cannabis remains illegal at the state level. As news of the referendum’s success broke, Joe Bruno, a reporter, shared the breaking update on Twitter, noting that this would be the first time weed is legal in any part of the state.
As the tribe prepares to embrace the economic and medical potential of marijuana, the nation will be watching closely to see how this decision unfolds and whether it paves the way for broader discussions on cannabis legalization in the region.
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