The Legal Battle Over Marijuana in North Carolina

Once hailed by observers as the southern state most likely to legalize marijuana first, North Carolina has not kept pace with its northern neighbors. All marijuana is still illegal in North Carolina. But getting high on cannabis is easy — and legal. WFAE reported that the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is planning to open a marijuana superstore on April 20.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which controls the roughly 57,000-acre Qualla Boundary in western North Carolina, announced their plans on Feb. 28. However, they are facing legal challenges, with accusations from two U.S. senators of launching a "frontal attack" over the tribe's marijuana store.

In North Carolina, authorities are sounding the alarm, warning that illegal marijuana products are being sold at gas stations and smoke shops. Despite this, the state has yet to legalize marijuana in any form. However, a medical cannabis bill did pass the Senate last year but stalled in the House. Nearly 8 in 10 North Carolinians support the legal of medical marijuana.

In response to the push for marijuana legal, North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards has introduced the Stop Pot Act. The act would withhold federal funding from states that legalize marijuana. This further complicates the legal landscape surrounding marijuana in North Carolina.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians faces an uphill battle in their quest to open a marijuana superstore. Their plans have drawn attention to the broader discussion around marijuana legal in North Carolina. The state's slow progress on this issue contrasts with the growing acceptance of cannabis in other parts of the country.

Overall, the legal battle over marijuana in North Carolina highlights the complexities and challenges of navigating state and federal laws on cannabis. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' efforts to open a marijuana store serve as a microcosm of the larger debate on marijuana legal in the state.