north carolina Archives

Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed in North Carolina

May 25, 2018 by Anthony Martinelli

Legislation that would legalize recreational marijuana has been filed in North Carolina’s House of Representatives.

Filed by Representative Kelly Alexander Jr. (D), House Bill 944 would allow those 21 and older to legally possess up to four ounces of marijuana for personal use. The bill would raise the threshold for felony possession from 1.5 ounces to 16 ounces; possessing over four ounces, but less than 16, would be a misdemeanor.

In addition, the measure would also allow those convicted of possessing up to four ounces of marijuana before the law would take effect to petition the court to have the charge expunged (removed) from their criminal record.

North Carolina Medical Marijuana Legalization Bill Advanced by Senate

July 10, 2017April 5, 2017 by Anthony Martinelli

Legislation to legalize medical marijuana has been filed and advanced in the North Carolina Senate.

Senate Bill 648 was filed yesterday by Senators Teresa Van Duyn (D) and Valerie Jean Foushee (D). Today, it was passed through its first reading and assigned to the Rules and Operations Committee.

If passed into law, the proposal would legalize medical marijuana for those who receive a recommendation from a physician and register with the state. Patients would be allowed to possess up to 24 ounces of cannabis, and could grow the plant at home as long as there is “not more than 250 feet of total garden canopy of mature female cannabis plants, measured by the combined vegetative growth area, excluding any garden space devoted to cannabis plants that are not mature and female but which are cultivated for the purpose of maintaining the largest and most productive canopy of mature female cannabis plants allowed by this Article.”

Overdose Reversal Drug Has Saved Over 2,500 Lives in Under 3 Years in North Carolina

March 30, 2016 by Anthony Martinelli

Nalaxone is given to those overdosing on heroin or prescription painkilers.

2,503 lives have been saved from death due to heroin or painkiller overdoses in North Carolina in under three years thanks to the state’s acceptance of the use of nalaxone (Narcan), according to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Center. Despite the incredible success rate of this drug, some states continue to refuse to allow its use.

“Through distributing naloxone with NCHRC, I have been able to save the lives of many of my friends, loved ones and peers,” says Kendra, a volunteer distributor of nalaxone in Wilmington. “Without this amazing group of people and this life-saving drug, many people who are very close to me may not have had a second chance at life. In the last few months alone I have had close to 100 reversals reported to me personally and many of those people are now in recovery because they were ready to make a change in their lives after overdosing.”

Industrial Hemp Cultivation Now Legal in North Carolina

November 1, 2015October 30, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

With it now being October 31st EDT, the production and cultivation of hemp is now legal in North Carolina. This is due to Senate Bill 313 becoming law without Governor Pat McCrory’s signature.

The new law, which was approved overwhelmingly in the state’s legislature, establishes an industrial hemp commission tasked with licensing hemp farmers and overseeing a hemp pilot program. The new law will allow hemp to be legally cultivated in North Carolina for the first time in decades.

Hemp Legalization Bill Clears North Carolina Senate, Heads to Governor

October 5, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

North Carolina’s full Senate – with an 101 to 7 vote – has given approval to an amended version of Senate Bill 313, which allows industrial hemp to be cultivated in the state for the first time in decades. Having already passed the House of Representatives, it now heads to Governor Pat McCrory for consideration.

If signed into law by Governor McCrory, or allowed to become law without his signature, the measure would establish an Industrial Hemp Commission which would oversee a hemp pilot program. The commission would be tasked with granting licenses to farmers as well as the state’s A&T University to cultivate industrial hemp.

North Carolina Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Bill Into Law

July 20, 2015July 19, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Legislation legalizing the medical possession and use of cannabis oil has been signed into law by Governor Pat McCrory.

House Bill 766, which was approved unanimously in the Senate, and passed with a 112 to 2 vote in the House of Representatives, allows those with seizure disorders to possess and use low-THC (no more than 0.9%) cannabis oil if they receive a recommendation from a neurologist. The measure adds explicit legal protections to neurologists who recommend the medicine. The full law goes into effect August 1st.

Medical Cannabis Bill Given Approval by North Carolina Legislature, Sent to Governor

July 15, 2015July 14, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

House Bill 766, a proposal to allow the medical use of cannabis low-THC cannabis oil for those with seizure disorders, has been given approval by North Carolina’s full legislature, sending it to Governor Pat McCrory for consideration. The measure was passed unanimously in the Senate, 15 to 0, and nearly unanimously in the House, 112 to 2.

Under the proposed law, sponsored by Representative Pat McElraft, those with seizure disorders such as epilepsy who receive a recommendation from a neurologist will be authorized to possess and use cannabis oil that has no more than 0.9% THC.

Medical Cannabis Oil Bill Approved Unanimously by North Carolina Senate

July 3, 2015July 2, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

North Carolina House Bill 766, a proposal to legalize the medical use of cannabis extracts, has been approved unanimously by the state’s full Senate.

The measure was passed with some minor amendments, meaning it will head back to the House of Representatives – which has already passed the bill once – for a final vote. If approved in the House, as expected, it will go to Governor Pat McCrory for consideration.

Under the proposed law, those with seizure disorders who receive a recommendation from a physician will be authorized to possess and use cannabis oil that has no more than 0.9% THC.

North Carolina Bill to Legalize Medical Cannabis Approved by House of Representatives

March 8, 2017March 5, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

North Carolina’s full House of Representatives has given initial approval to House Bill 78, a proposal to legalize the possession, private cultivation and distribution of medical cannabis.

House Bill 78 would legalize the possession of up to 24 ounces of cannabis for those who receive a recommendation from a physician. Patients would also be authorized to cultivate cannabis, with grow spaces limited to 250 feet of total canopy space, which would be “measured by the combined vegetative growth area, excluding any garden space devoted to cannabis plants that are not mature and female but which are cultivated for the purpose of maintaining the largest and most productive canopy of mature female cannabis plants”.

Poll: Nearly 70% of Voters in North Carolina Support Legalizing Medical Cannabis

February 25, 2015February 23, 2015 by Anthony Martinelli

Nearly seven out of ten North Carolina voters support legalizing the doctor prescribed use of cannabis for medical purposes, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey.

According to the poll, 69% of voters in North Carolina believe that “doctors should be allowed to prescribe marijuana for medical use”. Just 21% oppose the move, with the remaining 10% being undecided.