Weed Legalization Bill Introduced in North Carolina

Seven Democratic lawmakers in North Carolina support a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana in the state and end past marijuana-related crimes.

The law, introduced by the state Senate last week, follows another proposal by the state to legalize medical marijuana.

If passed, the recreational cannabis bill would legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older and “establish a 20% state tax on sales.” [of marijuana], local governments can enact an additional 3% tax. ” According to local news station WSOC.

per station, tax revenue from the sale of marijuana is divided as follows: 10% to social equity funds created by the bill. 3% to the cannabis education and technical assistance fund created by the bill. 7% to the Department of Health and Human Services for evidence-based voluntary programs to treat or prevent substance abuse. 2% to DHHS for public education campaigns targeting youth and adults about the health and safety risks of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substances, including driving while disabled. 2% to DHHS for cannabis research.

Up to 1% to Department of Public Security for Advanced Disabled Driving Enforcement and Drug Awareness Training. The remaining 50% of tax revenue goes to the General Fund. “

invoice You can also expunge previous cannabis-related convictions from the record.

“If you are charged with and convicted of an offense involving marijuana or hashish that is legal under chapter 18D of the General Code, that conviction will be automatically dismissed by July 1, 2026 in the following manner: shall be ordered to comply with the laws set forth in this section. read.

North Carolina is one of the last states where neither recreational marijuana nor medical marijuana is legal.

Late last month, the North Carolina Senate passed legislation to legalize medical cannabis treatment for individuals with eligible conditions, including cancer, ALS, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). approved.

Roy Cooper, the state’s Democratic governor, lobbied North Carolina lawmakers to reform cannabis laws.

In October, Cooper called for the decriminalization of cannabis in North Carolina after President Joe Biden granted a pardon to individuals convicted of federal marijuana.

“A simple possession conviction can hurt people’s lifetime records and possibly even prevent them from getting a job,” Cooper said at the time.

“North Carolina should take steps to end this stigma,” the governor added.

In announcing the pardon, Biden urged “all governors to do the same for state crimes.”

“As I often said during my presidential campaign, marijuana use or possession alone should not put you in jail. A criminal record for marijuana possession also imposes unnecessary barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. While browns use marijuana in similar proportions, blacks and browns are disproportionately arrested, prosecuted and convicted,” Biden said in a statement at the time. .

“Federal law currently classifies marijuana in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, a classification that signifies the most dangerous substance. It’s even higher, causing an overdose epidemic,” Biden added.