CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a historic vote on Thursday, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in western North Carolina appeared to have solidly approved adult use of marijuana on tribal land, uncertified election results showed.
As of 8:30 p.m. Eastern time, according to unofficial results reported by ECBI’s election board, “yes” votes were far ahead on the the cannabis referendum.
On the question of whether to make legal recreational use of marijuana, early results showed 2,464 votes in favor, and 1,057 against.
ECBI’s reporting of the results late Thursday did not include whether officials have completed tallying ballots.
As approved, the referendum legalizes possession and use of cannabis by anyone 21 and older. Tribal lands, home to Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, are an important cultural and tourism destination in the Great Smoky Mountains.
An ECBI referendum to allow controlled liquor sales in places like restaurants also had broad support, unofficial results showed. The vote was 2,389 to 1,113 in favor of the Tribal ABC Commission issuing mixed beverage permits to restaurants, hotels, convention centers and non-profit organizations for sales on tribal lands.
The Sept. 7 general election also decides Tribal Council seats, with members from each Cherokee township, and Principal Chief.
Similar to municipal elections in North Carolina, ECBI’s…