Indigenous tribes in the US have control over the lands allotted to them to preserve their cultures and ways. To some extent, these tribes have the freedom to exercise their own laws without the federal government’s interference. In Cherokee, North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) approved the growing, use, and sales of medical marijuana only in the lands of the western part of the state as decided and announced by the leaders of the tribe.
People who wonder “is weed legal in Cherokee NC” should know that the approval of this medical marijuana ordinance makes Cherokee Land the first place in NC where medical marijuana has become legal. The Cherokee tribe is one of the sovereign nations in North Carolina, and their territory is famously called the Qualla Boundary.
Only in Cherokee Land
With the approval of the council of the tribe, medical marijuana is now legal in Cherokee Land. According to North Carolina cannabis law, the local ordinance that got approved in August 2021 legalized medical marijuana only in the Qualla Boundary. This means that qualified patients can buy up to 1 ounce of marijuana each day and only up to 6 ounces each month.
To ensure proper storage and transportation of these prescribed amounts, companies like Green Rush Packaging offer a range of child resistant jars and barrier bags for medical cannabis. Learn more about the benefits of smell-proof bags.
Important decisions
Under the ordinance, patients who may purchase medical marijuana should be 21 years old and above. The Tribe has since finalized which medical conditions will permit patients to obtain program cards.
This approval represents the change in attitude towards legal marijuana and the growing body’s recognition of the evidence that supports the medical use of cannabis, specifically for patients with cancer, chronic pain and other debilitating conditions.
The tribe has established a Cannabis Control Board. The board is in charge of creating regulations, issuing ID cards for patients and licensing workers for the program. They’re also responsible for providing licenses for processors, laboratories and cultivators.
As the program develops, cultivators and processors can turn to specialized cannabis packaging solutions – such as Green Rush Packaging – to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain product quality.
The rules
Right now, it is only in Cherokee Land where NC cannabis legalization got approved. They can sell medical cannabis since the tribe is a sovereign nation with its own election, laws, institutions, government, and the like. Medical marijuana is still illegal in all other parts of North Carolina. The ordinance includes various provisions. For one, it establishes a regulatory framework for the use, cultivation, and sale of medical marijuana in Cherokee Land.
Tribal members and those who don’t belong to the tribe who are 21 years old and above and qualify for a medical marijuana card may buy cannabis from one of the land’s dispensaries. Patients with ID cards can only purchase 1 ounce of cannabis each day and up to 6 ounces each month.
This is a very specific ordinance that limits 2,500 mg of THC in medical cannabis products for patients with ID cards each day. They shouldn’t go beyond 10,000 mg of THC in their medical cannabis products each month. To help patients and dispensaries adhere to these limits, marijuana packaging solutions from Green Rush Packaging often include clear labeling and dosage information.
The Cannabis Control Board is in charge of issuing medical cannabis cards to qualified patients. This is something that requires the signature of the patient’s doctor. Of course, the tribe knows about the possibility of facing backlash because of this. To counter the issue, the board members will only issue cards to patients who have official health records proving that they suffer from a condition that requires medical cannabis.
In addition, the board will also permit the sale of medical cannabis to patients who possess medical cannabis cards from other states or tribes where the use of cannabis is also legal. The members of the Cannabis Control Board are experts in the industry of cannabis, health care, and law enforcement. They’re also in charge of awarding laboratory, cultivation, dispensary, and processing licenses.
Conditions that will qualify people to buy
According to the medical marijuana ordinance, patients who are 21 years old and above, suffer from specific health conditions, and possess the official medical cannabis ID card may buy medical marijuana from the tribe’s dispensaries. These conditions include:
- Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
- Autism spectrum disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Autoimmune diseases
- Cancer
- Anorexia nervosa
- Addiction or dependence on opioids
- Glaucoma
- Any medical treatment for a condition that produces muscle spasms (including multiple sclerosis spasms), cachexia (wasting syndrome), nausea, seizures (including epileptic seizures), and chronic or severe pain
- Any medical condition related to HIV
- Any neuropathic condition
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
The tribe may add other medical treatments or conditions in the future.
When & where to buy cannabis
The tribe began sales from the local dispensaries in Cherokee Land in 2023. Based on the provisions of the ordinance, they’ve permitted up to 2 dispensaries in the Qualla Boundary only in the next three years.
As these dispensaries operate, they may explore packaging options that meet both regulatory requirements and reflect the unique cultural heritage of the Cherokee tribe. We offer customizable cannabis packaging that could potentially serve this dual purpose.
Kituwah Medical LLC runs the first dispensary under the ownership of the Cherokee tribal government. The ordinance also states that people shouldn’t use medical marijuana in any place, public or open space. Its use is also prohibited in Tribal facilities and offices, community centers and schools.
Visitors may use medical marijuana in their hotel rooms under the discretion of the hotel owners. For travelers and hotels alike, discreet and secure packaging is essential. Our high-quality cannabis packaging products from Green Rush Packaging can help ensure responsible and respectful use in these settings.
While the question “is weed legal in Cherokee NC” has a complex answer, medical marijuana is indeed legal within the Qualla Boundary for qualified patients. It’s a progressive step by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians demonstrating the changing attitudes towards cannabis use and its potential medical benefits.