This is one backwards Southern state in terms of MJ legalization, but the sovereign state of Cherokee (a large Indian reservation within the state of NC) has jump-started the process, ultimate goal, medical marijuana statewide.
They already have a large casino on the reservation and I can easily see them setting up a large grow op to be ready at the forefront when the right time is at hand.
Smart move in the right direction!
New Cherokee ordinance decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana possession | WLOS
CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — Cherokee leaders make a change to their marijuana law. It still must be ratified, but it would remove the penalty for possession of small amounts.
The vote by Tribal Council means if you're at least 21 years of age and in possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, it will no longer be considered a Tribal crime.
Anything over 1 ounce will be subject to penalty, along with penalties for selling and distribution.
"It's just good to see us open up a can of opportunity instead of kicking the can down the road," says Jeremy Wilson, the Governmental Affairs Liaison to the Cherokee Principal Chief.
He says the 11-1 council vote moves Cherokee forward with laws governing cannabis.
"What was passed yesterday in the ordinance is subject to those who just consume cannabis for their medicinal and personal purposes," Wilson said.
"Tribal council hasn't passed any kind of resolution giving us direction for something farther in terms of a recreational or an adult-use program," said Joey Owle, Cherokee Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Wilson and Owle have another step in mind, though.
"The mission is to have a medicinal marijuana industry that's going to be opening up to our enrolled members as well as the public," Wilson said.
"With some focus from the attorneys we work with in the AG's (Attorney General's) office that we can look to submit a marijuana ... a medical cannabis package later this year," Owle said.
Both say getting to that point first requires de-criminalizing possession of small amounts, and both say marijuana helps people with chronic pain and cancer patients.
"You have people who are trying to overcome addiction. They utilize this to try to reverse that effect," Wilson said. "People would rather utilize that instead of opioid prescription medications. It is proven to be more beneficial than man-made products."
Wilson says achieving a future medical marijuana industry in Cherokee would open a whole new revenue stream and create jobs.
Cherokee has sovereign nation status, and Owle says the Tribe is out front on this issue, with the state of North Carolina watching.
"I think they will try to assess what goes on here for their own future program, for statewide," Owle said.
Both Wilson and Owle expect Principal Chief Richard Sneed to sign off on the ordinance within the next couple of weeks.
They already have a large casino on the reservation and I can easily see them setting up a large grow op to be ready at the forefront when the right time is at hand.
Smart move in the right direction!
New Cherokee ordinance decriminalizes small amounts of marijuana possession | WLOS
CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — Cherokee leaders make a change to their marijuana law. It still must be ratified, but it would remove the penalty for possession of small amounts.
The vote by Tribal Council means if you're at least 21 years of age and in possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, it will no longer be considered a Tribal crime.
Anything over 1 ounce will be subject to penalty, along with penalties for selling and distribution.
"It's just good to see us open up a can of opportunity instead of kicking the can down the road," says Jeremy Wilson, the Governmental Affairs Liaison to the Cherokee Principal Chief.
He says the 11-1 council vote moves Cherokee forward with laws governing cannabis.
"What was passed yesterday in the ordinance is subject to those who just consume cannabis for their medicinal and personal purposes," Wilson said.
"Tribal council hasn't passed any kind of resolution giving us direction for something farther in terms of a recreational or an adult-use program," said Joey Owle, Cherokee Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Wilson and Owle have another step in mind, though.
"The mission is to have a medicinal marijuana industry that's going to be opening up to our enrolled members as well as the public," Wilson said.
"With some focus from the attorneys we work with in the AG's (Attorney General's) office that we can look to submit a marijuana ... a medical cannabis package later this year," Owle said.
Both say getting to that point first requires de-criminalizing possession of small amounts, and both say marijuana helps people with chronic pain and cancer patients.
"You have people who are trying to overcome addiction. They utilize this to try to reverse that effect," Wilson said. "People would rather utilize that instead of opioid prescription medications. It is proven to be more beneficial than man-made products."
Wilson says achieving a future medical marijuana industry in Cherokee would open a whole new revenue stream and create jobs.
Cherokee has sovereign nation status, and Owle says the Tribe is out front on this issue, with the state of North Carolina watching.
"I think they will try to assess what goes on here for their own future program, for statewide," Owle said.
Both Wilson and Owle expect Principal Chief Richard Sneed to sign off on the ordinance within the next couple of weeks.