Medical cannabis bill on pause in North Carolina Senate

UNSPLASH

The Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act, which was referred to a North Carolina Senate committee, would create an 11-person panel to oversee licensing and dispensaries. The proposal failed to advance by the General Assembly's crossover date.

A bill that would establish a regulated medical marijuana industry is stuck in a North Carolina Senate committee.

Filed on March 19, Senate Bill 350 proposes a maximum of 10 supplier licenses for eight dispensaries. Applicants would require two years of state residency and demonstrate experience cultivating, producing, and distributing medical cannabis. 

The Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act, proposed by Democrat Greg Meyer, who represents Orange, Caswell and Person counties, would also require a $50,000 nonrefundable license fee plus $5,000 per facility; renewal fees begin at $10,000. Suppliers would be regulated by an 11-member board that approves, suspends, or revokes licenses.

While SB 350 has garnered support for its potential to provide relief to people with qualifying conditions, it has also sparked concern among Black farmers and entrepreneurs. Critics argue that the provisions will perpetuate historical inequities, limiting opportunities for underserved communities.

“Senate Bill 350 is a step in the right direction, but like most early legislation, it needs refinement,” said Ankh Ali, co-founder of Gazz Godz, a Charlotte dispensary. “My concern is that big money and multi-state operators will flood the space before local entrepreneurs and legacy operators get a fair shot. If done right, the bill could open doors. But we need to push for equity clauses, expungement policies, and small business protections to make sure the opportunity is shared — not stolen.”

SB 350 was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations on March 20, where it failed to make the crossover point for consideration by both chambers of the legislature. The bill passed its first reading but was not scheduled for further debate or voting during the long session.

The Post interviewed Meyer about the bill’s goals. Responses are edited for brevity and clarity.

CP: What are you most excited to see if this bill is signed?

GM: It’s so important to end the devastating war on drugs and its hugely disproportionate impact on communities of color. We can’t just legalize medical marijuana, because it would leave that injustice in place.

CP: How would cannabis be taxed?

GM: My bill would tax cannabis based on potency. That’s for public health reasons. Making people pay more for higher potency product discourages abuse.

CP: How would the product be purchased?

GM: My bill would have the ABC system sell cannabis. They could do it in current ABC stores or set up cannabis-only stores. Of all states, North Carolina has some of the highest revenue and lowest abuse rates of alcohol. That’s exactly the right combination that every state should want for cannabis, too. One reason for that is because of the control that we use through ABC stores. We should use the same proven model for cannabis.

CP: Will there be regulations to prohibit sales to certain people, such as felons or underaged?

GM: My bill has a lot of protections for young people. We have to discourage youth use as much as possible. I also have limits on driving under the influence of cannabis and smoking it in public. There is not a prohibition on people with a felony record.

CP: How will it affect future policies regarding cannabis? 

GM: I think my bill sets us up for a great system. But we’ll also have to update the laws and policies as we learn more through implementation.

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