North Carolina remains one of the few states that does not currently have legalized medical marijuana. One of the interesting things is that North Carolina has the highest population of military veterans in the country. There are more than 700,000 veterans that call NC home. And none of them have access to medical cannabis to treat chronic pain or mental health conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
At the beginning of 2021, Elon University took a poll of North Carolina voters. The survey found that 73% of state residents were in favor of legalizing medical marijuana. Among the respondents, approximately two-thirds were Republican voters, demonstrating bipartisan support.
On August 16, 2021, North Carolina Senators appeared to push forward the legalization of medical marijuana. Senator Bill Rabon (Brunswich County, North Carolina) is the Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. He introduced Senate Bill 711, which argues to validate the medical treatment potential of cannabis.
Senate Bill 711 also provides laws to authorize physicians to prescribe cannabis to patients for specific diagnoses and health needs.
The qualifying health conditions for North Carolina are to be determined (TBD) because the legislation is not finalized yet. However, the Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, Sen. Bill Rabon, has listed some conditions that have already been included in the draft legislation.
The qualifying health conditions for a medical card in North Carolina may include:
Missing from the list of qualifying health conditions is chronic pain. Many Americans want the ability to choose medical cannabis instead of prescription opioid or NSAIDs for pain management. A point that will be argued as the legislation is finalized. North Carolina lawmakers may also decide to legally empower physicians to prescribe cannabis for patients with rare diseases or conditions that are not listed. At the physician’s discretion.
None right now. Medical cannabis is not yet legalized in North Carolina. Currently, Delta-8 synthetic THC products are legally sold in the state. However, North Carolina (along with other states) may soon ban Delta-8 THC products.
Some Senators and Representatives in North Carolina are opposed to smokable types of medical cannabis. This includes whole flower cannabis and vape oils. There has been little discussion about edibles or concentrates, which suggests that North Carolina may not legalize those products as part of the medical cannabis program.
This is to be determined. North Carolina is likely to legalize cannabis for adults aged eighteen (18) years and up. Minors under the age of eighteen will require a legal guardian and registered caregiver.
The application method for a medical marijuana card in North Carolina is not yet determined. Like most states, however, patients will be required to have a medical consultation to review any contraindications (conflicts) to using cannabis.
The physician may or may not set up the patient profile with the North Carolina MMJ state registry. The application process has not been established yet.
While the laws are not yet established, parents and guardians can anticipate that minors will not be left out of the North Carolina medical marijuana program. Following the model of other states, legal guardians will have to apply and meet qualifications to be an official caregiver. This can include completing a criminal background check for any history of drug-related or violent crimes.
The procedure to become a caregiver for a child enrolled in the NC medical cannabis program will be determined soon.
The length of the registration for patients in the North Carolina medical marijuana program can vary. Some states allow up to two years before a medical card expires. However, the average is one year.
If North Carolina follows the model of other states, an annual health check will also be required (doctor’s visit) and a renewal fee for staying in the state cannabis registry.
There will be a process in place to request the replacement of your card. In other states, replacing your medical card after it is lost or stolen is done through an online request. Some states charge a replacement fee ranging from $10 to $50.
There are currently a large number of CBD retail stores across North Carolina. Residents may purchase CBD products that have 0.9% or less THC content.
It may be possible for the CBD retailers to apply for a license to dispense medical cannabis to patients with a North Carolina medical card. The CBD cultivators and processors may also be fast-tracked for licenses to grow cannabis for medical marijuana products.
Medical marijuana is not yet legal. However, drafts of laws were moving through the North Carolina Senate in August 2021. Many anticipate that medical cannabis in North Carolina will launch in early 2022.
From the early 1700s, North Carolina was a major producer of industrial hemp. Hemp was used for various applications, including manufacturing rope, clothing, rugs, and other textiles.
By the 1970s, however, there was a crisis level increase in the number of marijuana arrests in the United States. Lawmakers were concerned that ‘people from good families’ would have their lives ruined with a criminal record for cannabis use. And North Carolina moved to decriminalize cannabis earlier than other states.
January, 1975—Students at UNC-Chapel Hill staged a “smoke-in.” Parents had written to the University Chancellor Ferebee Taylor and provided an ultimatum. The Chancellor was going to have to stop cannabis from being smoked on University property, or the parents were going to sue.
A club called the “High Noon Society” discussed philosophy in the University bell tower. While they smoked weed. The University hired photographers to document hundreds of students who were smoking to pursue legal action. The club members met with police, and while no charges were laid, the group was disbanded.
Source Web 2021: finding-aids.lib.unc.edu
July, 1977—North Carolina decriminalized possession of marijuana for first-time offenders. The sentence for possessing up to one ounce of cannabis becomes a misdemeanor (with an automatically suspended sentence) and a $100 fine. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-95(d).
This was due to pressure from parents. The Attorney General in North Carolina supported HB 1325 and stated that law enforcement resources were better spent on hard drug sales. And that putting “good youth” in prison with ‘professional felons’ would not serve families or society.
Source Web 2021: ncleg.net
July, 2021—H290 has been referred to the 2022 session in North Carolina. House Bill 290, “Make Certain Drug Offenses Infractions,” will be a decriminalization precursor to legalizing medical cannabis in the state. It reduces some types of possession from misdemeanors to ‘infractions’ or fines without legal charges. Only for small or personal use amounts of cannabis, paraphernalia, and non-violent drug-related charges.
Source Web 2021: ncleg.gov
Possession of marijuana is still a criminal offense in North Carolina because it’s regarded as Schedule VI substance. If a person is found with 0.5 ounces of marijuana, he or she is subject to a $200 fine. However, no imprisonment is allowed for possessing this quantity of marijuana.
Cultivating less than 10 pounds of cannabis is punishable by a three to eight-month jail term and a fine imposed by the discretion of the jury. However, North Carolina has an industrial hemp growing program.
In the Tar Heel state, telemedicine or Telehealth is defined as using electronic information and communication technology (ICT) to practice medicine between a licensed medical professional in one location and a patient in a distant location:
We offer you instant access to North Carolina’s Full Medical Marijuana Laws. Review all the state regulations for usage, prescription, possession, cultivation, sale and distribution compiled in one place. You’ll also see the criminal charges attached to unlawful possession. These laws are written in a format you can easily read and understand without formal legal training.
We offer you detailed and accurate facts about medical marijuana in North Carolina, along with related topics. Take a look at our fact sheets to discover the vital information you should know about medical cannabis. We help you separate facts from myths so you can take full advantage of this plant’s benefits when it’s legalized in North Carolina.
To use medical marijuana, you must be properly examined and diagnosed as having one of the ailments that can be treated with cannabis. That’s why we’ve designed an efficient search system to help you locate a competent doctor in your community:
Currently, you can buy cannabis oil with very low THC from pharmacy stores, but no marijuana dispensaries have been licensed in North Carolina. However, as soon the use of medical marijuana is fully legalized, we will help you connect to local dispensaries where you can purchase the best strains and brands to treat various conditions.
We’ve helped thousands of people in other states where medical marijuana has been legalized to find top-rated dispensaries that offer excellent customer service. You’ll be able to:
For more information about North Carolina medical marijuana doctors and dispensaries, visit our doctors search page and dispensary directory.
Find out Who Qualifies for Marijuana in North Carolina in our definitive guide of North Carolina’s qualification guidelines. Read up on medical conditions that are covered under North Carolina’s medical marijuana program, age restrictions, criminal conviction restrictions, and more.
Read North Carolina’s Full Medical Marijuana Laws to gain full specific knowledge of North Carolina’s exact legal guidelines without interpretation.
Find out how to obtain a(n) North Carolina Medical Marijuana Card with our guide to North Carolina’s state medicinal marijuana ID program. Some states require that you obtain your card prior to obtaining your medicine, so read here first to ensure that you know North Carolina’s requirements.
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