KUALA BORDER, N.C. (WLOS) — Saturday, April 20th was a historic day for North Carolina with the grand opening of the first medical marijuana dispensary in Cherokee.
A ribbon cutting was held outdoors at 9:30 a.m. Great Smoky Cannabis Dispensarylocated at 91 Bingo Loop Road, Qualla Boundary.
First Look: Historical Medical Marijuana Launch by Eastern Cherokee Indians
People from all over the mountains lined up outside, eagerly waiting to purchase packaged cannabis from the Eastern Band of Indians.
The company offers about 40 products, ranging from vape pens, prepackaged buds and marijuana cigarettes to edibles and gummies. All of these are locally produced from marijuana grown and processed at Coopers Creek Farm.
Kuala Enterprises' Great Smoky Cannabis Co. scheduled to open on April 20th
Forrest Parker, general manager of Great Smoky Cannabis Company, said the company is constantly striving to improve the quality of its products.
“This is the first legal, regulated and safe cannabis to be sold within North Carolina's borders,” Parker said. “We are very proud to set the standard for quality and health and safety.”
EBCI opens historic North Carolina medical marijuana dispensary, but adult use is under consideration
A medical patient card is required to access the pharmacy.
The tribe only accepts EBCI's Cannabis Control Board, another tribe's medical marijuana patient card, or a reciprocal state medical patient card. You must also be 21 years of age or older to enter the pharmacy and sign in.
This story will be updated.