Now
66°
Wed
84°
Thu
87°
View the uncertified results for the South Carolina primary elections as they come in.
by Jennifer Emert
CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — On April 20, 2024, hundreds of people with medical cannabis patient cards lined up to buy the first legal medical marijuana within North Carolina and the nation where it remains illegal.
It’s raising safety questions among members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, as well as surrounding counties as applications for patient cards surge beyond the thousand already issued.
With recreation sales soon to follow, News 13 has what you need to know about buying with a patient card and how safety issues are being addressed.
MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY OPENS
“Three, two, one,” counted the crowd, as the ribbon was cut, opening the Great Smoky Cannabis Company’s dispensary.
What began with 40 products will be continuously cultivated, similar to the expansion at the Cooper’s Creek grow site since early 2023.
“Every week, every month that we’re open, more products come out every week,” said Forrest Parker, general manager of Qualla Enterprises LLC and Great Smoky Cannabis Company.
It's expected to intensify as recreational use approved by the Tribe last September is added.
“So what you will see in here in a very short period of time is over 500 individual skews that are all produced, all grown, produced branded and sold right here on the Qualla Boundary,” said Parker.
It's a point of pride for Parker.
“This project for me became a lot about cultivating people and not just plants and I didn’t realize it at first,” said Parker.
Plant medicine as significant to the tribe as health and safety.
“I think that we as a Tribe and as a company especially, we’re always going to have the highest level of expectations and highest level of standards for that because that is what makes regulated cannabis there and health and safety is paramount,” said Parker.
From hospital management to Cherokee Schools Administration, there were concerns about keeping cannabis away from kids and educating the community about issues even before the dispensary opened.
“How are these under 18, not even, I mean even beyond 21, getting vapes, getting ahold of them, how are they getting them, where are they coming from, how are we holding people accountable?” questioned Consuela Girty, Cherokee Central Schools superintendent.
At the dispensary, it starts with access or denying access.
“On child-resistant packaging, so everything has a lot of thought and strategy into it,” said Parker.
{sd-embed class="sd-embedded-media" data-alt="mari2.JPG" data-caption="April%2020,%202024%20The%20Great%20Smoky%20Cannabis%20Company%20opened%20its%20doors%20to%20medical%20marijuana%20patient%20card%20holders.%7B%7D%20Child-resistant%20exit%20bags%20are%20an%20additional%20precaution%20they've%20taken.%7B%7D%20(Photo%20Credit:%20WLOS%20Staff)" data-duration="" data-externalid="7bd733f9-06bd-47a9-ad8e-74b62873fbc4" data-mediatype="image" data-renditions="%7B%22large16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:678,%22label%22:%22large16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:986,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/7bd733f9-06bd-47a9-ad8e-74b62873fbc4-large16x9_mari2.JPG%22,%22width%22:1205,%22x%22:6,%22y%22:0,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%22d06c6291-2de0-4c6e-884b-b1e49baa8e77%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22large16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22large16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22large16x9%22%7D,%22jumbo16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:678,%22label%22:%22jumbo16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:1320,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/7bd733f9-06bd-47a9-ad8e-74b62873fbc4-jumbo16x9_mari2.JPG%22,%22width%22:1205,%22x%22:6,%22y%22:0,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%22578617ea-4c27-41c5-a742-13d6067101d3%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22jumbo16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22jumbo16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22jumbo16x9%22%7D,%22small16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:678,%22label%22:%22small16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:160,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/7bd733f9-06bd-47a9-ad8e-74b62873fbc4-small16x9_mari2.JPG%22,%22width%22:1205,%22x%22:6,%22y%22:0,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%227ff82e7e-e466-4add-8aa9-cd8114dcc412%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22small16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22small16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22small16x9%22%7D,%22full16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:678,%22label%22:%22full16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:1205,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/7bd733f9-06bd-47a9-ad8e-74b62873fbc4-full16x9_mari2.JPG%22,%22width%22:1205,%22x%22:6,%22y%22:0,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%2269c64c82-8757-4c96-aea9-2779a4a6ea03%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22full16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22full16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22full16x9%22%7D,%22medium16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:678,%22label%22:%22medium16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:648,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/7bd733f9-06bd-47a9-ad8e-74b62873fbc4-medium16x9_mari2.JPG%22,%22width%22:1205,%22x%22:6,%22y%22:0,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%2207870c21-5fb4-40ca-a39c-8e1cb930fb4b%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22medium16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22medium16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22medium16x9%22%7D%7D" data-thumburl="/resources/media/7bd733f9-06bd-47a9-ad8e-74b62873fbc4-medium16x9_mari2.JPG" data-title="Seeing%20Green:%20Medical%20marijuana%20debut%20in%20WNC%20stirs%20safety%20concerns%20and%20patient%20card%20surge" data-url="" data-defaultthumb="true" data-embed-file="%0A%20%20%20%20%3Cdiv%20class=%22sda-ImageEmbed%22%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cimg%20src=%22/resources/media/7bd733f9-06bd-47a9-ad8e-74b62873fbc4-medium16x9_mari2.JPG%22%20alt=%22%22%20/%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cdiv%20class=%22sda-ImageEmbed-caption%22%3EApril%2020,%202024%20The%20Great%20Smoky%20Cannabis%20Company%20opened%20its%20doors%20to%20medical%20marijuana%20patient%20card%20holders.%20Child-resistant%20exit%20bags%20are%20an%20additional%20precaution%20they've%20taken.%20(Photo%20Credit:%20WLOS%20Staff)%3C/div%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%3C/div%3E" data-embed-type="image" contenteditable="false" }<="" sd-embed="">{/sd-embed}
Going further than the required law with child-resistant exit bags.
“I’ll give you an example,” said Parker as he handed over one of the bags. “Reporter resistant as well,” said the News 13 reporter. “Trust me, it's adult resistant as well, I promise you, you’re not the only one,” said Parker.
There is no consumption at the dispensary. Even on the boundary, medical marijuana must be transported unopened in the manufacturer's packaging and drivers can’t consume marijuana inside the passenger area. Casey Stuart, concerned about the differences between Sovereign land to North Carolina, made some calls.
“I have spoke to some sheriffs about this and they’ve even said they would treat it no different than an open container of beer,” said Stuart.
“What do people need to know, if they’ve got a card but maybe they live in Asheville and they’re thinking about transporting items?” questioned News 13.
“They need to understand that a medical marijuana card is only good on the reservation itself. Once they come off the reservation they’re back, subject to the laws of the state of North Carolina,” said Lt. Joshua Dowdle with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Troop G Asheville.
{sd-embed class="sd-embedded-media" data-alt="mari6.JPG" data-caption="Cooper's%20Creek%20is%20one%20of%20two%20locations%20where%20medical%20marijuana%20products%20are%20being%20processed%20and%20packaged.%7B%7D%7B%7D(Photo%20Credit:%20WLOS%20Staff)%7Bp%7D%7B/p%7D" data-duration="" data-externalid="aff82d46-72f8-4001-b28d-3327b7964fa1" data-mediatype="image" data-renditions="%7B%22large16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:660,%22label%22:%22large16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:986,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/aff82d46-72f8-4001-b28d-3327b7964fa1-large16x9_mari6.JPG%22,%22width%22:1174,%22x%22:0,%22y%22:8,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%22cffc9bf0-8064-47f0-bdcc-a0d049c1bad9%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22large16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22large16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22large16x9%22%7D,%22jumbo16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:660,%22label%22:%22jumbo16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:1320,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/aff82d46-72f8-4001-b28d-3327b7964fa1-jumbo16x9_mari6.JPG%22,%22width%22:1174,%22x%22:0,%22y%22:8,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%2238ccae86-eb79-4215-bf5f-8aeb73e3af31%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22jumbo16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22jumbo16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22jumbo16x9%22%7D,%22small16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:660,%22label%22:%22small16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:160,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/aff82d46-72f8-4001-b28d-3327b7964fa1-small16x9_mari6.JPG%22,%22width%22:1174,%22x%22:0,%22y%22:8,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%221a2c487b-f51c-4eb3-a185-7fbca9e8cbb5%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22small16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22small16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22small16x9%22%7D,%22full16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:660,%22label%22:%22full16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:1174,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/aff82d46-72f8-4001-b28d-3327b7964fa1-full16x9_mari6.JPG%22,%22width%22:1174,%22x%22:0,%22y%22:8,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%2243606ecd-02c8-468a-b637-5dee73008840%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22full16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22full16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22full16x9%22%7D,%22medium16x9%22:%7B%22blurSigma%22:-1,%22height%22:660,%22label%22:%22medium16x9%22,%22scaleWidth%22:648,%22url%22:%22/resources/media/aff82d46-72f8-4001-b28d-3327b7964fa1-medium16x9_mari6.JPG%22,%22width%22:1174,%22x%22:0,%22y%22:8,%22uuid%22:null,%22id%22:%22e19c803e-4bce-47fa-8ffb-58c40a9a767a%22,%22preciseWidth%22:null,%22preciseHeight%22:null,%22name%22:%22medium16x9Url%22,%22rendition%22:%22medium16x9%22,%22labelOrConvertedName%22:%22medium16x9%22%7D%7D" data-thumburl="/resources/media/aff82d46-72f8-4001-b28d-3327b7964fa1-medium16x9_mari6.JPG" data-title="Seeing%20Green:%20Medical%20marijuana%20debut%20in%20WNC%20stirs%20safety%20concerns%20and%20patient%20card%20surge" data-url="" data-defaultthumb="true" data-embed-file="%0A%20%20%20%20%3Cdiv%20class=%22sda-ImageEmbed%22%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cimg%20src=%22/resources/media/aff82d46-72f8-4001-b28d-3327b7964fa1-medium16x9_mari6.JPG%22%20alt=%22%22%20/%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%3Cdiv%20class=%22sda-ImageEmbed-caption%22%3ECooper's%20Creek%20is%20one%20of%20two%20locations%20where%20medical%20marijuana%20products%20are%20being%20processed%20and%20packaged.(Photo%20Credit:%20WLOS%20Staff)%3Cp%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%0A%20%20%20%20%3C/div%3E" data-embed-type="image" contenteditable="false" }<="" sd-embed="">{/sd-embed}
In North Carolina, possession of a half-ounce or less is a misdemeanor, with a fine and no imprisonment. Half an ounce to an ounce and a half is also a misdemeanor but includes a jail sentence and discretionary fine, more than an ounce is a felony.
“You know, we’re not going to be out there targeting, looking for it, but if our troopers come across it, then they will take the enforcement action on it,” said Lt. Dowdle.
Impaired driving was a top concern in a recent survey of more than 500 tribal members who still supported cannabis access.
“There were a lot of concerns about DUI’s; this was the most frequently mentioned concern with many people expressing concern about impaired drivers and the potential for accidents,” said Sonya Wachacha with EBCI Division of Public Health & Human Services.
North Carolina's crash report database tracks crashes where drivers are suspected of drugs. It fluctuated between as few as 2,840 crashes involving drug impairment in 2023 and 4,483 crashes involving drug impairment in 2020. The state doesn’t track which drug it is that impaired a driver. In 2019, there were 3,420 crashes, in 2021 it was 4,094 crashes, and in 2022 there were 3,009 drug impaired crashes. That’s as state investigators get more complaints and find more THC products that sidestep state law.
While medical patient cards might now legally get you access, it’s also important to know what your employer expects on and off the boundary.
“Even though they have a medical card because it helps them with their anxiety and whatever, they’re in a classroom of 20 children. Are they going to be able to respond appropriately if they’re under the influence?” asked Girty.
Despite medical cannabis’ legality on the boundary, here’s what the Tribe’s Department of Human Resources director had to say.
“Our current personnel policy addresses that, there’s zero tolerance for any substance to be on any tribal property and that’s outlined in the personnel policy and all of our employees sign acknowledgments for that when they’re hired,” said Sarah Teesateskie.
Where does medical marijuana use stand in North Carolina?
A North Carolina House Health committee discussed the Compassionate Care Act a week ago.
The committee would have to approve it for the measure to move on to another House committee, but the committee took no action.
2026 Sinclair, Inc.