Legalization of medical marijuana passes North Carolina Senate with bipartisan support

Through Nicolas Jose Rodriguez

North Carolina took a step closer to joining the rest of the country when the state Senate approved the NC Compassionate Care Act with bipartisan support by a vote of 35 to 10.

The bill, now before the House of Representatives, would allow cannabis with higher THC levels to treat debilitating conditions like cancer and post-traumatic stress disorder. It contains comprehensive regulations for everything from advertising to testing to licensing and packaging. However, home growing would not be allowed. Smoking and vaping would only be allowed if recommended by a doctor, The Richmond Observer reported.

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“This bill I think will help a lot of people at the end of their lives at a time when they need some compassion,” said Sen. Bill Rabon (R), who co-sponsored it. “We looked at other states, the good and the bad (…) and we did, if not perfected, at least a better job than anyone else so far.”

Ten medical marijuana providers will initially be authorized to operate up to four dispensaries.

In addition, the bill would create a Compassionate Use Advisory Board and the North Carolina Cannabis Research Program to “conduct objective, scientific research related to the administration of cannabis or cannabis-infused products as part of medical treatment.” It will also create the Medical Cannabis Production Commission.

RELATED: North Carolina: Medical marijuana wins near-unanimous approval in GOP-controlled General Assembly

Senator Paul Lowe (D), who co-sponsored the bill, commended fellow Republicans for recognizing that medical marijuana can help patients, adding that a recreational bill would be discussed in the future.

“This is a medical cannabis bill,” Lowe said. “It’s not a recreational activity. It doesn’t do everything a leisure bill would, and that’s for another day. But for now, I believe this bill will help some North Carolinians.”

Hemp bills are advancing in the chambers

Meanwhile, the North Carolina House of Representatives also voted to remove hemp from the state’s controlled substances list and allow its legal sale and transportation. There are currently 1,500 licensed hemp farmers in North Carolina who must comply with the US Department of Agriculture.

A similar measure included in the North Carolina Farm Act of 2022 was unanimously approved by the Senate earlier this week.

“What we’re doing is saving an industry that has already spent millions and millions of dollars,” said Sen. Brent Jackson(R), a Farm Act co-sponsor.

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

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