The North Carolina legislature is introducing legislation to legalize it

A Democratic lawmaker in North Carolina introduced legislation Monday that would legalize the sale and possession of adult recreational cannabis in the state.

State Senator Toby Fitch’s proposal focuses primarily on “the sale, possession, and use of marijuana,” according to the Winston-Salem Journal, “although a section addresses the legal uses of industrial hemp.”

As in other states and cities that have lifted cannabis prohibition, Fitch’s bill would apply to people 21 years of age or older.

Under the proposal, these adults could “carry up to two ounces of marijuana,” the newspaper reported, but there would be restrictions and penalties associated with using marijuana in public.

According to the Winston-Salem Journal, anyone “carrying more than two ounces in a public setting is subject to a civil fine of up to $25,” but “anyone who possesses more than a pound of marijuana — excluding a marijuana.” license – could be found guilty of a Class F felony and face a fine of up to $250,000.”

Neither recreational nor medicinal cannabis is legal in the Tar Heel state — one of a dwindling number of states that still have outright prohibition in place.

According to the Winston-Salem Journal, the bill “could represent an attempt to tie legalization to a medical marijuana bill … which acquitted three Senate committees during the 2021 session before stalling in Rules and Operations in August.”

The Medical Cannabis Act was introduced by a Republican Senator last year.

Fitch’s bill would also create a regulatory body called the Cannabis Control Commission to oversee the new cannabis market.

According to the text of the law, the commission would “consist of a chief executive officer, the board of directors and the officers and employees of the commission. The Commission is administratively based within the Ministry of Public Security but exercises its powers independently of the Minister of Public Security.”

The commission would make rules about the sale and transportation of cannabis, while enforcing them.

The regulator would also be tasked with overseeing provisions of the new Social Justice Act, which aim to provide opportunities in the new market to communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs.

All of this, of course, may be debatable given the composition of the North Carolina General Assembly. Republicans control both legislative houses, while Democrats have their own, Roy Cooper, who currently serves as governor.

A spokesman for the Democratic governor last year indicated that Cooper would be willing to sign into law the enacted medicinal cannabis legislation.

“Studies have shown that medical marijuana can offer many benefits to some suffering from chronic conditions, particularly veterans, and the governor is encouraged that North Carolina could join the 36 other states that have approved it for use,” said the speaker of the Outer Banks Voice. “The governor will be reviewing this bill as it goes through the legislative process.”

There’s reason to believe that North Carolina voters are ready for the legislature to legalize both medical and recreational cannabis.

A poll last month found that an overwhelming majority of North Carolina voters — 72% — support legalizing medicinal cannabis. Support included 64% Republicans, 75% Democrats, and nearly 80% independents.

A smaller majority of North Carolina voters, 57%, said recreational marijuana use should also be legal, including 63% of Democrats and 60% of independents.

On the issue of recreational cannabis, state Republicans were divided, with 46% saying it should be legalized and 44% saying it should remain illegal.