North Carolina’s Only Legal Marijuana Store Thrives, Representing a Win for Tribal Sovereignty
The Great Smoky Cannabis Co., located on the Qualla Boundary of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), has been thriving since it opened its doors to all adults 21 and older on September 10. As the only legal marijuana store in North Carolina, it has attracted thousands of customers from across the region, despite the state’s ban on recreational marijuana sales.
The store’s general manager, Forrest Parker, described the project as “the most inspiring thing I’ve ever been a part of.” He noted that the store is not just a business, but a symbol of tribal sovereignty and a source of pride for the community.
The EBCI voted to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2023, and medical cannabis sales began in April 2024. The store’s recreational sales to members of EBCI and other federally recognized tribes started in July.
The store’s success has drawn attention and interest from other tribes, with Parker saying the response has been “overwhelming.” The store is also an ambassador for legal cannabis and an example of what a regulated market can look like.
However, being the only game in town comes with its challenges. The store has had to deal with long lines and traffic management issues, and there have been discussions about how to integrate legal marijuana into the Qualla Boundary’s established tourism economy.
Despite the challenges, Parker remains optimistic, saying that the store’s focus is not just on profitability, but on providing a sense of purpose and hope to the community. He noted that more than 90% of the store’s employees are tribal members, and that the store has brought together tribal elders and younger leaders.
The store’s success has also sent shockwaves through Indian country, with Rob Pero, founder of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, saying that EBCI’s move to legalize and launch sales has “sent shockwaves through Indian country.”
Tribal governments in a handful of U.S. states have entered the marijuana business, with some tribes leading the way. In Minnesota, for example, tribes are leading the way in the legal marijuana market, with some tribes already opening marijuana businesses before the state begins licensing retailers.
Pero said that EBCI’s willingness to navigate the process has been inspiring to other tribes attempting to assert their own sovereignty, regardless of members’ views on cannabis legalization itself. He noted that tribes have decided to “own the narratives” and tell their own stories, rather than relying on others to do
