Seeing Green: EBCI pot sales surge, local impact and future plans discussed – wlos.com

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by Jennifer Emert
SEPT. 7, 2024 – The Great Smoky Cannabis Dispensary on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 — the first day of recreational sales for anyone over the age of 21. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
QUALLA BOUNDARY, N.C. (WLOS) — History was made Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 when nearly 2,000 people bought legal cannabis in North Carolina where marijuana remains illegal.

It came a year to the day that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians members voted to approve adult-use sales. The Tribe’s first full week of recreational marijuana sales started Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.

For more than a year News 13 investigates has followed the process to legalize marijuana in the Seeing Green series. This update looks back at the operation’s growth since planting started several years ago, public use rules and the impact to surrounding counties where marijuana remains illegal.
SEEING GREEN: MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEBUT IN WNC STIRS SAFETY CONCERNS AND PATIENT CARD SURGE

MARIJUANA THE TALK OF THE BOUNDARY
“Here at Native Brews we’re one of a kind,” said Chef Reuben Sharpless, tossing a piece of fish browning in a nearby pan.
The 100-percent women-owned Native American business serving craft brews isn’t unlike another budding enterprise getting plenty of lip service in the taproom.
“I’ve seen a lot of tourists come in and ask questions, you know, ask about medical cards, things like that, if it does transfer,” said Sharpless.

FILE – June 21, 2024 – Senators in North Carolina's General Assembly voted once more to legalize medical marijuana on Thursday, June 20, but legalization will not be coming soon. (Photo credit: WLOS staff)

Qualla Enterprises LLC using sovereign immunity made history in April as the first medical dispensary in a state where marijuana is illegal. In July those over 21 with Tribal ID could buy recreational marijuana. Now anyone over 21 with ID can.

“Nothing like this happens extremely fast,” said Forrest Parker, Qualla Enterprises LLC’s general manager.
The enterprise started growing cannabis in August 2021 at Coopers Creek on Tribal Lands.
GREAT SMOKY CANNABIS DISPENSARY OPENS FOR ALL ADULTS OVER 21
EXPANSION OF PRODUCTS, OUTSIDE ITEMS BROUGHT IN
The Great Smoky Cannabis Company Dispensary opened with 55 different products, all grown at Coopers Creek, as stipulated by the EBCI Cannabis Control Board. Unsure about demand for Saturday's start of adult sales, Qualla Enterprises LLC received approval from the CCB to order some 20 outside products raising its inventory to 290 items.
“Every week, every month that we are open, more products come out every week,” said Parker.

SEPT. 7, 2024 – Interior of The Great Smoky Cannabis Dispensary on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 — the first day of recreational sales for anyone over the age of 21. (Photo: WLOS Staff)

SEPT. 7, 2024 – Interior of The Great Smoky Cannabis Dispensary on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 — the first day of recreational sales for anyone over the age of 21. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
News 13 reached out to Qualla Enterprises about sales, but the organization has declined to provide specifics, only characterizing them as "good." As recreational sales are cultivated, beyond the dispensary, the push is on. Hoop houses, used to grow cannabis, have been added at Coopers Creek, along with a drying room that was converted for growing indoors. News 13 uncovered planting plans are also sprouting for a second grow site at the former Pioneer Motel.

“We have to make sure that we’re doing this, 100% in line with our community, 100% in line with the standards that we are going to hold ourselves to, and we’re going to make sure that those are at the highest level,” said Parker back in April when the dispensary first opened.
WHERE CAN YOU CONSUME ADULT-USE MARIJUANA?
Where you can consume cannabis can be problematic, even on the Qualla Boundary where it is legal. Public consumption is prohibited, but businesses told News 13 there's not enough police to enforce it. Also prohibited is possession or consumption within 100 feet of a school, childcare facility, church, hospital, tribal government building, public park, playground, or other community facilities. It has to be in the manufacturer's unopened container in your vehicle.
Fines start at $1,000. Off the boundary, North Carolina law applies, and it remains illegal. News 13 has learned the dispensary is planning for a consumption lounge.
“This is another form of revenue source for the Tribe with competition coming around with other gaming aspects we had to look for other forms of revenue to bring into the Tribe,” said Birdtown Tribal Council Representative Boyd Owle.
But at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, there’s no mixing the newest source of revenue for the EBCI with what’s been a staple for decades. Marijuana is prohibited. Local hotels also told News 13 that if they catch customers using on their property, they'll fine them.

SEPT. 7, 2024 – People line up outside of the Great Smoky Cannabis Dispensary in Cherokee, North Carolina, on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Photo: WLOS Staff)

SEPT. 7, 2024 – People line up outside of the Great Smoky Cannabis Dispensary in Cherokee, North Carolina, on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
APRIL TO SEPTEMBER IMPACT

Off the boundary, so far the impact has been minimal. Between April and September, a check of county law enforcement agencies near the Boundary, including the N.C. Highway Patrol Troop G, found little to no impact of drivers under the influence since sales started. Among more than 70 charges made by EBCI law enforcement for controlled/impairing substances between April and September marijuana was not involved in any of the charged crimes.
Word has spread about the operation as far as Wisconsin. The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, also with sovereign immunity, is considering a similar cannabis operation in a state where adult sales are illegal.
“We’ve been here all week, and we’ve created a proclamation to show our unwavering support and they’ve been really great in helping us kind of show us the way and we’re here to support them as well,” said Bill Trepanier, who spent the week in Cherokee learning about the EBCI program.

FILE – JUNE 7, 2024 – As of the vote by Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Tribal Council on June 6, the recreational sale of marijuana has been officially approved in Cherokee — and it has stirred differing opinions from local residents and law enforcement. Pictured: Great Smoky Cannabis Company located on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. (Photo: WLOS staff)

Back at Native Brews Tap & Grill, they’re hoping the recreational sale expansion might lead to unique opportunities to set themselves apart from other mountain restaurants.

“I’m super excited. Hopefully I’ll get to work with some little THC oils and do some THC-infused foods and stuff and I would love to have that on our menu here,” said Sharpless.
That's even if it takes time to walk through the legal process to make it happen. The Cannabis Control Board must license all establishments that provide or sell cannabis on the Qualla Boundary.
Employment for the Qualla Enterprise operation is at 160 individuals, including 80 in cultivation, 30 in retail, and the rest are divided between administration, security and production. For now, Qualla Enterprises tells News 13 it has added hours to its drive-thru dispensary operations and will re-evaluate after 30 days, based on demand. The operation remains cash only, and the dispensary is open Wednesday-Sunday.
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