The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has approved growing, selling and using medical cannabis on its lands in Western North Carolina, tribal leaders said Thursday, making their territory the first place in North Carolina where medical cannabis is legal.
The tribal council’s approval of a medical cannabis ordinance testifies to “the changing attitudes toward legal cannabis and a recognition of the growing body of evidence that supports cannabis as medicine,” Principal Chief Richard Sneed said in a statement.
The Cherokee maintain a sovereign nation in Western North Carolina, about an hour west of Asheville, known as the Qualla Boundary. Though the tribe “has relationships with” the state and federal governments, according to its website, the tribe “is a sovereign nation, meaning it has its own laws, elections, government, institutions, and the like.”
“Passing this ordinance is just the first step, but we are excited to begin building this program,” Sneed said. “I know that I reflect the sentiments of many patients in expressing my pride and gratitude for the leadership demonstrated by our Council on this issue.”
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