On June 30, a North Carolina Senate Committee approved Senate Bill 711 to legalize medical cannabis in the state. The Senate Judiciary Committee, which heard testimony last week, approved the legislation in a voice vote. The bill must now move through additional committees before moving to a full Senate vote. In addition, it will need to follow the same process in the House should the Senate approve SB 711.
The vote made history. No North Carolina Senate committee has ever taken a vote on medical cannabis.
Senators amended SB 711 to reduce the number of distribution centers from 80 to 40 statewide. The infraction fine lowered to $100. Under this bill, trafficking in medical cannabis will receive a slightly harsher penalty than trafficking recreational cannabis.
Sponsors of the Bill
“We plan to tighten up any and all loose ends,” said sponsor Senator Bill Rabon. “I have been quite moved by this because of my personal experience. And at times it has been difficult for me to talk about to some people about that. But I will say again…the time has come [for this discussion], and we need to compassionately care for our fellow man, in any way that we can.”
Another sponsor of SB 711, Senator Michael Lee, said, “Recreational marijuana is not something we want in our state. I have four children ages 14 to 21. It is something that parents across our state and our country are battling every single day. But that should not keep us from doing the right thing for those people who are suffering from debilitating conditions that are outlined in the statute.”
37 other states have legalized some form of medical marijuana, most recently Alabama. Senator Natasha Marcus called North Carolina’s proposal “very restrictive” compared to other states. “We don’t want to continue to make criminals out of caregivers and patients and war veterans who could be helped by medical marijuana, so I support this bill,” Senator Marcus tweeted.
Some religious conservative groups spoke out against the bill. They pointed to the American Medical Association as they do not currently support medical cannabis. Nonetheless, most North Carolina adults support legalizing cannabis for recreational use. Up to 75 percent of residents say it should be legal for medical purposes.
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