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by Rex Hodge
CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — In a historic move, voters in Cherokee on Thursday voiced their approval of areferendum calling for legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults on the reservation.
The referendum passed 2,464 to 1,057, according to unofficial results from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Board of Elections. Now, it's up to the Tribal Council to pass legislation governing the sale of marijuana. If the council does, it would make the reservation the first placein North Carolina where marijuana could be legally possessed and used.
The tribe decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana within the Eastern Band's 57,000-acre Qualla Boundary in 2021 and also approved medical cannabis two years ago.
“I voted yes on it because it will help us out in every way. It'll keep everybody off the hard stuff,” Tim Locust said of the referendum.
HIGH HOPES: CHEROKEE TRIBE SAYS 'YES' TO EXPLORING LEGAL RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA USE
Business owners also see the benefits of legalizing marijuana use.
“We're happy here at Happy Holiday because we have pizza and wings and all kinds of things that correlate to all of that. So, I think it's going to work out great. I think it will bring in a lot of tax money for the local area," Happy Holiday RV Village's Amy Riesco said.
With the passage, just how to regulate selling marijuana will fall to tribal leaders, some of them newly elected Thursday, including former Principal Chief Michell Hicks who will take over his old spot from incumbent Chief Richie Sneed.
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Hicks said an ordinance clearly defining parameters, including operationally, will have to be constructed.
“The work is cut out just in regards to where an individual can consume it. Obviously, we don't want it around the schools,” Hicks said.
And he said there are financial considerations — carefully identifying where revenues would be directed for tribal services.
“Housing, health care, education and there's many other buckets, but I think those are the real critical things to meet. There’s still a lot of need around elderly dental,” he said.
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The issue will be front and center as Hicks and new Tribal Council members take their seats.
“Let's make sure that we get the right controls in place with the finances, the inventory and the operation as a whole. This could be really beneficial,” Hicks said.
“I think it's going to be a great success,” Riesco said.
The recreational use of marijuana in Cherokee would only apply to those 21 and older.
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