The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is on the cusp of a historic decision as tribal members prepare to vote on whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana on their reservation in western North Carolina.
While possessing even small quantities of marijuana remains illegal in the state, the sovereign tribal nation has the authority to regulate cannabis within the boundaries of the Qualla Boundary, the tribe’s expansive 57,000-acre reservation.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to Vote on Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
The forthcoming referendum poses a fundamental question to tribal members: Do they support legalizing the possession and use of marijuana for individuals aged 21 and over while mandating the Tribal Council to develop regulations for the market?
This pivotal vote comes after the 12-member council decided in June to place the question on the ballot to gauge the level of support for legalization among tribal citizens.
It is important to note that a positive vote on Thursday will not automatically legalize the sale and use of marijuana.
Tribal Council Chairman Richard French clarified that the council will respect the referendum’s outcome when deciding whether to allow recreational use, stating, “We made the move to give it to the people, and if the people vote it down, then that’s what we’ll go with.”
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has been progressively moving toward cannabis legalization. In May 2021, the Tribal Council decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis, making the reservation the sole location in the state where marijuana possession was legal.
Later that year, the council took a significant step by legalizing medicinal marijuana and embarked on the groundwork for a tribal-owned dispensary slated to open this fall.
The tribe’s venture into the cannabis industry holds the potential for substantial economic benefits, with strong public support for both medicinal and recreational use.
However, some, including Principal Chief Richard Sneed, have voiced concerns about the pace of expansion.
Sneed, who has advocated for medicinal use since 2017, believes the tribe should solidify its medical program before considering broader recreational sales.
On the political front, US Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican representing the district that includes the Qualla Boundary, introduced the “Stop Pot Act.” This proposed legislation seeks to withhold certain federal funds from tribal nations that legalize recreational marijuana, citing the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ upcoming vote.
While public opinion appears favorable towards cannabis legalization, North Carolina has yet to take substantial legislative steps.
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North Carolina’s Delay in Cannabis Legislation Hinders Economic Opportunities
Thirty-eight states have legalized medical marijuana, and 23 allow recreational use, but North Carolina remains hesitant.
The delay in legislation means the state is missing an opportunity to regulate a substantial illicit cannabis market estimated at around $3 billion.
Several tribal nations in the United States have moved ahead with cannabis legalization, seizing the potential economic benefits and diversifying their revenue sources.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, for instance, became the first tribal nation to legalize recreational use of marijuana in a state where it remains illegal.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians stands at a crossroads, with the upcoming vote on recreational marijuana legalization potentially reshaping their economic landscape.
While there are concerns about the pace of expansion and potential repercussions from federal legislation, the tribe is considering the economic and employment opportunities that this new industry could offer its members.
As tribal citizens cast their votes, the future of cannabis in the Qualla Boundary hangs in the balance, with the potential for significant societal and economic impacts.
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