A state advisory council is urging North Carolina lawmakers to legalize marijuana through a strictly regulated system, enabling retail sales to adults. The council asserts that this shift would enhance consumption safety and generate millions in revenue for the state.
While marijuana remains illegal federally, numerous states have legalized it, and nearly all allow medical marijuana for specific conditions. North Carolina, however, continues to resist legalization in any form.
A recent report from the North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis reveals that billions of dollars are being spent on illegal marijuana, with unregulated products being manufactured in violation of existing laws.
“Intoxicating cannabinoid products are already widely available across North Carolina,” the report states. “The state now faces a choice about whether to continue allowing this marketplace to operate without comprehensive oversight or to establish a regulatory framework designed to protect the health, safety, and well-being of North Carolinians.”
The council, composed of law enforcement officials, bipartisan lawmakers, health experts, and agricultural interests, argues that a regulated market would enhance oversight and consumer safety. A detailed report with further recommendations is expected later this year.
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana, remains illegal in North Carolina. Hemp, which also contains THC but at much lower levels, is legal in the state. Some growers have figured out how to extract THC from hemp, producing items that are marketed as legal but may still have psychoactive effects.
These products, often easily accessible in vape shops and convenience stores, currently lack consistent labeling and safety standards, raising concerns about their availability to minors.
By imposing stricter regulations, including restricting sales to adults, the council believes that consumers would be better protected and that access for minors could be minimized.
Unified Regulatory Framework
The council recommends a cohesive regulatory approach for hemp and intoxicating cannabinoid products to alleviate confusion regarding enforcement and compliance. It emphasizes the need for protections for medical users while advocating against a system that restricts use solely to medical patients.
The report highlights that establishing a separate medical cannabis program would likely incur substantial costs, requiring significant investment in state infrastructure, physician training, and compliance systems. It warns that limiting usage to medical consumers may further fuel the illicit market, compromising consumer safety.
Governor Josh Stein has characterized the current patchwork of cannabis laws in North Carolina as the “Wild West.” He supports legalizing recreational use for adults, a stance that may face pushback from Republican legislators. Stein advocates for a regulatory system similar to North Carolina’s Alcoholic Beverage Control System, ensuring labeling and safety standards.
Legalization would also enable the state to tap into tax revenue from cannabis sales. States that have legalized adult-use cannabis have generated significant annual tax revenue, which could fund enforcement and public health initiatives.
While several proposals aimed at regulating cannabis have been introduced in recent years, including measures to allow medical marijuana, none have successfully passed both chambers of the General Assembly. Progress toward legalization will require approval from a Republican-led legislature, where opinions remain divided.
The proposal for legalization known as the Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act, introduced in March 2025, seeks to legalize possession and regulated use for adults aged 21 and older. It includes provisions for a 30% excise tax and allows for limited home cultivation, alongside measures for community reinvestment and automatic expungement of past cannabis convictions.
A separate bill, the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act, would provide tightly regulated medical cannabis access for patients with qualifying health conditions. Although this bill passed the Senate in 2022, it stalled in the House.
Key legislative leaders have yet to respond to the advisory council’s recommendations. Governor Stein hopes that this report will incentivize the General Assembly to act during the upcoming short session.
“Let’s get this right,” Stein stated. “Let’s protect our kids and create a safe, legal, and well-regulated market for adults.”