Cherokee voters in North Carolina have made history by voting in favor of recreational marijuana usage, marking a significant milestone for the state. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribe held a historic vote on the matter, with early results showing 2,464 votes in favor and 1,057 against, according to the Charlotte Observer. This decision allows anyone aged 21 and above to use marijuana for recreational purposes within the tribe.
The tribal election, during which the voting took place, also saw voters remove Principal Chief Richard Sneed from office. The tribe’s decision to legalize recreational marijuana represents a first for North Carolina, as neither the Eastern Band nor any other tribe in the state has previously considered such a move. NBC News highlights the tribe’s authority to regulate cannabis on their 57,000-acre reservation, known as the Qualla Boundary, despite the state’s criminalization of marijuana possession.
The Eastern Band, comprised of approximately 14,000 members and operating two casinos, has previously decriminalized small amounts of marijuana in 2021. As a federally recognized tribe and sovereign nation, they have the power to pass rules permitting cannabis use, regardless of state or federal prohibitions. Currently, marijuana use remains illegal in the rest of North Carolina. AP News reports that the voting results showed a 70-30 percentage in favor of marijuana use, and further updates on the matter are expected in October.
This historic vote by the Cherokee voters in North Carolina signifies a significant development in the state’s stance on recreational marijuana. With the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians tribe leading the way, it remains to be seen what impact this decision will have on the broader marijuana legalization movement in North Carolina and potentially other tribes in the state.
