N.C. Senate Judiciary Committee advances medical cannabis bill

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.   

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

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.