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Is marijuana legal in North Carolina? Cherokee? What to know on 420

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Is marijuana legal in North Carolina? Cherokee? What to know on 420


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  • Marijuana is decriminalized, but not legal, in North Carolina.
  • The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians legalized marijuana on tribal land and opened a dispensary in 2014.

It’s been a year since the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened a cannabis dispensary on tribal land.

With April 20 rolling in again, here’s what to know about the 420 “holiday” celebrating marijuana, the Great Smoky Cannabis Co., marijuana’s legal status in North Carolina and more.

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Is weed legal in North Carolina?

Marijuana is not legal in N.C. It is decriminalized, however, meaning possession of small amounts intended for personal use rather than illegal sales will generally mean punishments of civil or local infractions rather than state crimes.

Industrial hemp – marijuana with no THC – is legal in NC. Additionally, a popular loophole in hemp legislation has made it possible to get legally stoned. It is illegal to grow cannabis plants with more than a 0.3% concentration of delta-9 THC. Delta-8 THC, however, is not mentioned in the legislation.

Delta-8 is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced by cannabis plants, and while it is usually not found in high amounts, many N.C. hemp businesses have begun extracting the compound from plants or converting other compounds like CBD into delta-8. If you’ve seen weed sold at gas stations, tobacco stores or anywhere else, it’s likely psychoactive “delta-8” or a similar compound.

It’s worth mentioning that, while delta-8 causes a “high,” the FDA has not evaluated or approved it as safe for consumption, meaning that delta-8 products are not regulated by the FDA and could therefore be harmful to your health.

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Is marijuana legal in Cherokee, NC?

The EBCI voted in 2021 to legalize the sale of medical marijuana within its tribal territory known as the Qualla Boundary. Cherokee is a sovereign nation that has its own elections, laws, government and institutions that are self-governed and autonomous. That’s why it can make legal the sale of marijuana despite being within North Carolina.

The Great Smoky Cannabis Co. opened on April 20, 2014 and was the EBCI’s first dispensary. At first, it sold cannabis products to people with a medical marijuana card. It later branched out to recreation marijuana, and now visitors 21 and older can shop there.

Note that it remains illegal to take marijuana off the Qualla Boundary.

What does 420 mean?

There are plenty of stories out there about exactly why the number 420 (and date April 20) are associated with marijuana. While there’s no definitive answer to its original significance, one of the most popular theories ties the number and date to a group of Californian teenagers.

According to the lore, a group of high schoolers attending Northern California’s San Rafael High School in the early 1970s would regularly gather at 4:20 p.m. to smoke pot.

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April 20 is regarded by many cannabis enthusiasts as not only a day to appreciate the plant, but a rallying date for the nationwide legalization of marijuana.

What states was marijuana legal as of 2024?

Here’s a list of states that have legalized recreational cannabis, plus the years that they each made it legal.

  • Ohio: 2023
  • Minnesota: 2023
  • Delaware: 2023
  • Rhode Island: 2022
  • Maryland: 2022
  • Missouri: 2022
  • Connecticut: 2021
  • New Mexico: 2021
  • New York: 2021
  • Virginia: 2021
  • Arizona: 2020 
  • Montana: 2020
  • New Jersey: 2020
  • Vermont: 2020
  • Illinois: 2019
  • Michigan: 2018
  • California: 2016
  • Maine: 2016 
  • Massachusetts: 2016
  • Nevada: 2016
  • District of Columbia: 2014
  • Alaska: 2014
  • Oregon: 2014
  • Colorado: 2012
  • Washington: 2012

Additionally, the following states have legalized medical marijuana:

  • Mississippi: 2022
  • Alabama: 2021
  • South Dakota: 2020
  • Missouri: 2018
  • Oklahoma: 2018 
  • Utah: 2018
  • Iowa: 2017 
  • West Virginia: 2017
  • Arkansas: 2016 
  • Florida: 2016
  • North Dakota: 2016
  • Ohio: 2016
  • Pennsylvania: 2016
  • Georgia: 2015
  • Louisiana: 2015
  • Minnesota: 2014
  • Maryland: 2013
  • New Hampshire: 2013
  • Delaware: 2011
  • Rhode Island: 2006
  • Hawaii: 2000

Contributing: Orlando Mayorquin and Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY

Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.



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NC state budget includes $27M for Madison County’s new public service complex

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NC state budget includes M for Madison County’s new public service complex


A major investment is moving one of Madison County’s largest construction projects a step closer to reality.

State leaders approved $27 million in the budget for the county’s new public service complex—bringing the project to more than two-thirds of the funding needed.

Grading has already begun on the property near the health department and sheriff’s office.

MADISON COUNTY MULLS FUTURE OF HISTORIC COURTHOUSE AS PLANS MOVE FORWARD FOR NEW BUILDING

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The $88 million project is set to combine governmental, social and judicial facilities in Madison County.

Madison County Manager Rod Honeycutt spoke about the impacts he believes the new complex will have.

JULY 9, 2026 – Grading has already begun for Madison County’s new public service complex near the health department and sheriff’s office. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

“A place that’s easy to get into, easy to get out of, and something that says we’re Madison County strong,” said Honeycutt. “We’re looking very much forward to moving into the facility and consolidating five locations into one.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE BUDGET INCLUDES $7M TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK FROM HELENE DEBRIS

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Madison County officials are encouraging community input on the plans for the new complex before the groundbreaking ceremony at the end of July.

The complex is expected to open in March 2029.



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North Carolina Airport Looks to Expand Commercial Service | AirlineGeeks.com

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North Carolina Airport Looks to Expand Commercial Service | AirlineGeeks.com


A small, mostly GA-focused airport in North Carolina will get $4.5 million to help attract a new airline.

WCTI-TV reported Wednesday that the money was allocated to Pitt-Greenville Airport in a state budget recently signed into law by Governor Josh Stein. The funding will support a revenue guarantee for carriers that opt to connect Greenville.

Many small airports use revenue guarantees to help reduce the financial risk for potential partner airlines.

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Currently, only American Airlines serves Greenville, with American Eagle commuter flights to Charlotte.

Airport Executive Director Brandon Craft told WCTI that the addition of another airline could help grow Greenville into a travel hub for eastern North Carolina. He also said that the airport is pursuing grants to help expand and improve its facilities.

Greenville is located about 80 miles east of Raleigh.



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NC Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 Day results for July 8, 2026

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The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Wednesday, July 8, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from July 8 drawing

12-29-37-43-55, Powerball: 18, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 8 drawing

Day: 2-9-0, Fireball: 5

Evening: 7-9-6, Fireball: 6

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 8 drawing

Day: 8-9-6-6, Fireball: 6

Evening: 3-4-8-5, Fireball: 4

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Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from July 8 drawing

07-13-19-23-33

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from July 8 drawing

01-03-14-18-32

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from July 8 drawing

16-18-43-48-50, Bonus: 01

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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

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  • Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
  • Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
  • Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
  • Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
  • Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.
  • Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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