The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) in North Carolina have said yes to recreational cannabis in a Thursday referendum, making the reservation the only place in the state to legalize adult-use cannabis.
The results of the Sept. 7 referendum posted by the tribe's Board of Elections showed that the majority of EBCI voters want marijuana policy change, reported The Asheville Citizen-Times. Marijuana is still illegal statewide for most purposes, even though lawmakers earlier introduced bills to legalize the plant.
While the recreational cannabis referendum isn't officially binding and requires subsequent legislation, the Tribal Council has already endorsed the policy change.
The referendum asked tribe members the following: “Do you support legalizing the possession and use of cannabis for persons who are at least twenty-one (21) years …