This state’s governor wants to ‘end’ the stigma of cannabis despite GOP opposition

Through Jelena Martinovic

Just days after President Joe Biden announced he would pardon all previous federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana and urged governors to do the same, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) has taken steps in that direction undertaken.

During a Friday meeting of the working group on racial justice and criminal justice, Cooper raised the issue of decriminalizing marijuana and said it was time to “end the stigma.”

Established in June 2020, the task force includes law enforcement officers, attorneys, civil rights activists and state officials. The 24-member panel announced in a 2020 report that lawmakers should make possession of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana a civil offense, not a misdemeanor. However, the General Assembly ignored the task force’s recommendation.

“The General Assembly did not pass your recommendations in this last session, but I believe they should,” Cooper said, adding that a conviction for cannabis possession “can damage people’s records for life and maybe even prevent them from to get a job.”

Currently, North Carolinars caught with more than 1.5 ounces face a felony charge, while possession of more than 0.5 ounces carries up to 45 days in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.

RELATED: Why did the House of North Carolina Republicans choose not to legalize medicinal cannabis?

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein supported the governor’s stance on the matter.

“People shouldn’t have federal criminal records for something that’s legal in more and more states,” Stein said last week. “Let’s act and make it right. That means decriminalizing adult use, overturning previous convictions for simple possession, and including strong child protections, no advertising, state-controlled sales, and NC farmer primacy.”

Photo by FatCamera/Getty Images

legalization efforts

In the meantime, the state senate has approved the NC. Compassionate Care Act in June with bipartisan support 35 to 10. The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Bill Rabon (R), aimed to allow cannabis with higher THC levels to treat debilitating conditions such as cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder.

However, Republicans in the North Carolina House of Representatives voted not to legalize medicinal cannabis later this month.

RELATED: North Carolina House Says Yes to Approving FDA-Approved THC Drugs, Will It Undo Full Legalization of Medical Marijuana?

House Speaker Tim Moore (R) was one of the key lawmakers scrapping the idea of ​​legalizing medicinal cannabis this year. “I’m very confident that next year the Republicans will have a supermajority. When I say next year, I mean in six months. We can deal with that,” he said.

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.