Bill to Legalize Medical Cannabis Filed in North Carolina

A bill to legalize medical cannabis in North Carolina was filed last week
by a group of Democratic lawmakers. The proposal, the North Carolina
Compassionate Care Act, by state Reps. Aisha O. Dew, Pricey Harrison, Zack
Hawkins, and Nasif Majeed, would create a qualifying conditions list for
medical cannabis access.

The proposal would all physicians to recommend cannabis for debilitating
medical conditions including, cancer, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s
disease and post-traumatic stress disorder, and other specified conditions,
including for patients in end-of-life care.

The bill would also create the North Carolina Cannabis Research Program
which would “undertake objective, scientific research regarding the
administration of cannabis or cannabis-infused products as part of medical
treatment.”

A similar bill was introduced in 2024 by Republican state Rep. Bill Rabon
and was approved in the Senate but never received a vote in the state House
of Representatives. Last session the Senate also passed a medical cannabis
bill that was ultimately not considered by the House.

North Carolina adults can access cannabis at dispensaries run by the
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in the Qualla Boundary.

A Meredith College poll of North Carolina voters conducted in February
found that 71% of state voters supported legalizing medical cannabis access
with 23% opposed, and 6% unsure.