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General

North Carolina General Assembly medical cannabis bill introduced!

Apr 22, 2025

Compassionate Care Act, Medical Marijuana, North Carolina

The first year of the North Carolina General Assembly's two-year legislative cycle is in full swing. Through the past two sessions, Senator Bill Rabon (R) has submitted the N.C. Compassionate Care Act and it has passed the Senate twice. Regrettably, the House of Representatives failed to act in both cases and the legislation died. This year, HB1011 was submitted in the House of Representatives by Rep. Aisha Dew (D), Rep. Pricey Harrison (D), and Rep. Zack Hawkins (D).

If you live in North Carolina, ask your legislator to support medical cannabis!

The main difference between previous versions of the N.C. Compassionate Care Act and the newly submitted legislation is that this version omits the 15% tax on medical cannabis. As the majority party, it has been the policy of the Republican caucus to have an internal vote to see what bills will be heard in the House. These votes are done in private, but we understand that in the last session the N.C. Compassionate Care Act was one vote shy of being heard in the House.

Let's make this the year we get medical cannabis legislation across the finish line!

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General

Our Best Opportunities for Cannabis Policy Reform Wins This Year

Jan 18, 2024

2024, Florida, Hawaii, legalization, medical cannabis, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota

The cannabis legalization movement took major strides forward in 2023, with three more states legalizing adult-use cannabis and one more approving medical cannabis. Now we have our sights set on more promising cannabis policy reform opportunities in the months ahead. Lots of state legislatures are reconvening, and with hundreds of thousands of people still being arrested for cannabis every year, we need to stand up and double down on our mission to end cannabis prohibition nationwide. If we’re able to gather the necessary resources to sustain robust advocacy efforts, these are some of the key states where we have the best shot to secure more victories in 2024!

On the legalization front, there are several states that are on our radar. Efforts to legalize adult-use cannabis are underway in Hawaii, New Hampshire, Florida, and South Dakota. In South Dakota, activists are hopeful to make another attempt at legalizing cannabis for adult use via the 2024 ballot. In Florida, signatures have been submitted to place the question of adult-use legalization on the 2024 ballot, although the initiative is tied up in court. Meanwhile, we are engaged in a legislative push for cannabis legalization in Hawaii and New Hampshire, two states that have become islands of prohibition in recent years as surrounding states have successfully legalized cannabis. Activists are also laying the groundwork in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, which are all possible prospects, but will likely be a multi-year effort.

There are also a handful of states that are poised to make progress regarding medical cannabis legalization. In South Carolina, a medical cannabis legalization bill will start where it left off in 2023, awaiting a Senate floor vote. Similarly, a medical cannabis bill in North Carolina will pick up in 2024 where it left off — awaiting action by the House of Representatives. In Wisconsin, Republican legislative leaders suggested they may move on medical cannabis this year, but action has been slow to materialize. In Nebraska, patient advocates and community leaders are regrouping after a series of setbacks in recent years and charging ahead with another effort to let voters decide the fate of medical cannabis on the 2024 ballot.

The MPP team has the experience and policy knowledge to help get these efforts across the finish line, but we’re counting on your support to keep driving our movement forward. Chip in today to sustain our work to change laws and change lives state by state!

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Medical Marijuana

N.C. Senate Finance Committee advances medical cannabis bill

Jul 28, 2021

families, medical cannabis, Medical Marijuana, NC, NC Compassionate Care Act, NC Families for Medical Cannabis, North Carolina, patients, physicians, SB 711, Sen. Bill Rabon, Senate Finance Committee, share your story, University of North Carolina, veterans

Ask your state lawmakers to support patients this year.

Great news! Last week, the Senate Finance Committee advanced a bill that would allow patients to use and safely access medical cannabis if they have a qualifying debilitating medical condition. The committee first adopted an amendment to direct medical cannabis sales tax revenue to fund the medical cannabis supply system and a cannabis research program at the University of North Carolina. 

As you may recall, SB 711, otherwise known as the “NC Compassionate Care Act,” is sponsored by Rules Committee Chairman Bill Rabon (R) and has already advanced through the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill would establish a nine-member Medical Cannabis Advisory Board and a 13-member Medical Cannabis Production Commission. The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board would have the power to add new debilitating conditions to the program, while the Medical Cannabis Production Commission would regulate the supply of medical cannabis. You can check out a summary of the bill here.  

Please email your state lawmakers and ask them to support patients.

Before SB 711 is considered for a Senate floor vote, it must win approval from the Health Care and Rules and Regulations committees. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on opportunities to testify and advocate for passage as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.  

In the meantime, please consider sharing your story of how cannabis has helped you or a loved one cope with a medical condition with NC Families for Medical Cannabis. NC Families for Medical Cannabis is a coalition of North Carolina families, physicians, and veterans who support safe, regulated access to medical cannabis for North Carolina patients suffering from medical conditions. As we approach a full floor vote, these stories will be extremely helpful in persuading lawmakers to vote in favor of SB 711.

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Medical Marijuana

N.C. Senate Judiciary Committee advances medical cannabis bill

Jul 14, 2021

2021 Elon poll, chronic pain, debilitating conditions, medical cannabis, Medical Cannabis Advisory Board, medical cannabis bill, medical cannabis legislation, Medical Cannabis Production Commission, Medical Marijuana, NC, North Carolina, opioid reduction, patients, Rules Committee Chairman Bill Rabon, SB 711, Senate Finance Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee

Ask your state lawmakers to support patients this year.

Great news! Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill that would allow patients to access cannabis if they have a “debilitating medical condition.” SB 711, sponsored by Rules Committee Chairman Bill Rabon (R), would also establish a Medical Cannabis Advisory Board and a Medical Cannabis Production Commission. The Medical Cannabis Advisory Board would have the power to add new debilitating conditions, while the Medical Cannabis Production Commission would regulate the supply of medical cannabis.   

While the bill would be an improvement over the status quo, the bill does not allow chronic pain or opioid reduction as a debilitating condition. A 2021 Elon poll found 73% of North Carolinians support allowing medical marijuana. That’s why we’re urging folks to contact their state senators and tell them to improve and pass SB 711.

The committee approval — which was nearly unanimous — is the first of many hurdles the proposed bill must clear, including three additional Senate committee votes, before it passes both the Senate and House and is signed into law by the governor. The bill is scheduled to be taken up next by the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as the bill makes its way through the legislative process.

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Medical Marijuana

N.C.: Could you or a member of your family benefit from medical cannabis?

Apr 27, 2021

clergy, family of patient, law enforcement, medical cannabis, medical cannabis bill, medical cannabis legislation, Medical Marijuana, medical professional, NC, North Carolina, patient, patients, public hearing, SB 711, Sen. Bill Rabon, Senate Rules Committee, share your story, testimony

The legislature may schedule a public hearing on the medical cannabis bill soon — if you are a patient, a friend or family member of a patient, or a medical professional who would like to help support SB 711, please send us an email and let us know!

When the chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, Sen. Bill Rabon, introduced SB 711, the odds of passing medical cannabis legislation in North Carolina improved dramatically. The Senate appears to be taking this bill seriously, and it’s possible they could schedule a public hearing on it very soon.

If you are a patient in North Carolina who could benefit from medical cannabis, a friend or family member of a patient, or if you are a medical professional, a member of the clergy, or a law enforcement officer who supports medical cannabis legislation, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us and tell us a little bit about yourself so we can advise you on opportunities to support SB 711. It would be helpful if you could include your address and/or nine-digit zip code so we can determine who your state representative and senator are.

You can read a summary of SB 711 here. This bill would make North Carolina the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis.

If you haven't already done so, please write your elected officials today and urge them to support SB 711!

Please share this important message with your family and friends in North Carolina!

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Medical Marijuana

N.C.: Republican Senate leader signals willingness to consider medical cannabis

Apr 19, 2021

compassion, debilitating medical conditions, Elon University, legalize medical cannabis, medical cannabis, medical cannabis legislation, Medical Marijuana, medical marijuana program, medical use, NC, North Carolina, patients, poll, polling, regulatory system, SB 711, Sen. Bill Rabon, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger

SB 711 would legalize medical cannabis in North Carolina — write your elected officials and urge them to support the bill!

After many frustrating years of inaction, North Carolina legislators finally appear to be seriously considering cannabis policy reforms. Last week, Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Raleigh) acknowledged that “public opinion is changing” on the issue and indicated that the legislature may be willing to consider medical cannabis legislation.

Since both chambers of the legislature are controlled by Republicans, it is essential that members of both parties support the proposed reform. Encouragingly, Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Raleigh) has introduced SB 711, a bipartisan bill that would legalize medical cannabis for patients with debilitating medical conditions and establish an effective regulatory system.

Please write your elected officials today and urge them to support SB 711!

You can read a summary of SB 711 here.

This bill would make North Carolina the 37th state to legalize medical cannabis. A poll conducted by Elon University in late January 2021 found that 54% of North Carolina residents support legalizing cannabis for use by adults, and 73% support making cannabis legal for medical use.

After you write your state legislators, please share this important news with your family and friends!

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Tax and Regulate

N.C.: Legalization bill introduced in Senate

Apr 07, 2021

automatic expungement, cannabis legalization, cannabis regulation, Elon University, Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act, medical cannabis, Medical Cannabis Program, Medical Marijuana, NC, North Carolina, poll, SB 646, Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, South, Virginia

SB 646 would legalize cannabis for adults and create a medical cannabis program — write your elected officials and urge them to support the bill!

Now that the Virginia General Assembly has voted to legalize cannabis for adults, legislators in other southern states are taking notice and seeking to emulate Virginia’s success. Yesterday, North Carolina Sen. Jay Chaudhuri introduced SB 646, titled the Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act. The bill would legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis for adults 21 and older. It would also create a medical cannabis program and provide for automatic expungement of past cannabis offenses.

Please write your elected officials today and urge them to support this excellent bill!

You can read the full text of SB 646 here.

This bill would bring North Carolina’s cannabis policy out of the dark ages and into the 21st century. A poll conducted by Elon University in late January 2021 found that 54% of North Carolina residents support legalizing cannabis for use by adults, and 73% support making cannabis legal for medical use.

After you write your state legislators, please share this important news with your family and friends!

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Prohibition

N.C.: New legislation would reduce cannabis penalties!

Mar 22, 2021

cannabis possession, civil offense, collateral consequences, courts, criminal conviction, decrim, decriminalization, Elon College, HB 290, infraction, law enforcement, misdemeanor, NC, North Carolina, North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice, penalties, penalty reclassification, police, poll, serious crimes

HB 290 would reclassify cannabis possession from a misdemeanor to an infraction — write your elected officials today and urge them to support this reform!

In December, the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice recommended that cannabis possession should be a civil — not a criminal — offense. Last week, legislators put forward a bill that would do just that.

HB 290, which has 28 legislative sponsors, would reclassify the penalty for possessing up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis from a misdemeanor to an infraction. Under North Carolina law, infractions are punishable by a fine of up to $100.

Please contact your state legislators right now and urge them to support this sensible reform.

Under current law, possessing up to a half ounce of cannabis is a misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $200, along with the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction. Possession of greater amounts up to 1.5 ounces can result in up to 45 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Most North Carolina residents — 54% according to a recent Elon College poll — are in favor of legalizing cannabis. HB 290 would not legalize possession, but it would significantly reduce harm to individuals who are charged with possessing small amounts. It would also allow police and courts to waste less time dealing with cannabis possession cases, leaving them with more time to deal with serious crimes.

After you write your legislators, please share this message with your family and friends.

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Tax and Regulate

N.C. racial equity task force recommends moving towards legalization

Nov 20, 2020

Attorney General Josh Stein, cannabis convictions, cannabis users, decriminalization, enforcement, expungement, justice, legalization, NC, North Carolina, North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice, penalties, possession, racial equity, racial justice, recommendations

Ask your state legislators to embrace reform in 2021.

The North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice has recognized that cannabis policy reform is essential to racial justice. It is recommending reducing the penalty for possessing up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis to a civil fine and expunging past convictions. It also called for a study of legalization.

Let your state lawmakers know you want them to heed this call when they reconvene next year.

The task force includes Attorney General Josh Stein, who explained, “White and Black North Carolinians use marijuana at similar rates, yet Black people are disproportionately arrested and sentenced. Additionally, it is time for North Carolina to start having real conversations about a safe, measured, public health approach to potentially legalizing marijuana.”

Under North Carolina law, possession of up to a half ounce of cannabis is a misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $200. Possession of greater amounts up to 1.5 ounces can result in up to 45 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Criminal convictions can derail lives, making it difficult to get employment, housing, professional licenses, and an education. The racially disparate enforcement of cannabis laws means that Black North Carolinians are disproportionately likely to have to face these harsh consequences for using a substance that is safer than alcohol.

Let your lawmakers know it’s past time North Carolina stop marking cannabis users with a scarlet letter. Then, spread the word so that others can raise their voices for justice.

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Medical Marijuana

N.C. Legislature reconvenes: Put compassion on the agenda

Apr 30, 2020

2020 legislative session, compassion, coronavirus, H 401, medical cannabis, medical cannabis bill, Medical Marijuana, nausea, NC, North Carolina, opiate medications, pain, patients, Raleigh, Rep. Kelly Alexander, seizures, social distancing, treatment

Ask your legislators to stand up for medical cannabis patients.

On Tuesday, the North Carolina General Assembly convened in Raleigh for its 2020 legislative session. But — due to the coronavirus — it will operate very differently from prior years. Only about 20% of lawmakers were present. Committee meetings will be held online, and floor votes will be staggered to allow social distancing.

While the legislature’s operations have changed to protect public health, there’s no reason it can’t do the people’s business. One of the bills awaiting action is Rep. Kelly Alexander’s medical cannabis bill — H 401.

Let your lawmakers know you want North Carolina to join the 33 other states with compassionate medical cannabis laws.

It’s simply wrong to force patients to choose between their health and abiding by state law. Medical cannabis has been shown to relieve pain, seizures, nausea, and other serious symptoms. It’s allowed thousands of patients to reduce or eliminate their use of dangerous opiate medications.

Urge the legislators who represent you to listen to the 80% of voters who support allowing this safe, effective treatment.

After you take action, please spread the word by email or social media. The more North Carolinians that raise their voices for compassion, the more elected officials will heed the call.

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