N.C. Senate Finance Committee advances medical cannabis bill

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.