North Carolina is edging closer to a long-awaited discussion on marijuana legalisation, and now the public is being invited to speak up. Before its debut meeting this Tuesday, a newly formed state council is asking residents to share their thoughts on how the state should handle cannabis laws moving forward.
It’s a fresh move from Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat and vocal supporter of legalisation, who announced the formation of the Cannabis Advisory Council in June. His message was simple: personal freedom should matter—but policy can’t be built in a vacuum.
A Political Balancing Act in the Tar Heel State
The council isn’t just symbolic. It’s a real test of political will in a state that’s traditionally been slow to shift on cannabis.
The 24-member group brings together a cocktail of viewpoints. There are lawmakers, cops, doctors, tribal leaders, farmers and drug policy experts. It’s a council with sharp elbows and clashing ideologies. And that’s by design.
Governor Stein wants the panel to untangle the practical questions around adult-use marijuana: What should a legal market look like? Who would regulate it? How could communities hurt by past drug laws benefit?
But the politics here are tricky. Republicans still control the General Assembly. And while Stein is eyeing a run for governor in 2024, not everyone in his own party is racing to back full legalisation. That means this council will be walking a tightrope between public opinion and legislative gridlock.
Public Input Could Tip the Scale
The council’s call for comment isn’t just a formality—it might be one of the most important parts of the process.
North Carolina has no voter-led ballot initiative system, so any movement on cannabis must come from lawmakers. But public opinion has shifted sharply. A 2023 Meredith College poll showed that over 70% of North Carolinians support medical marijuana, and nearly half now back legal recreational use.
The advisory council is now collecting feedback via a state-run website and through community forums. And they’re not just looking for yes-or-no answers—they want to hear real stories, concerns and ideas from everyday residents.Some topics already surfacing include:
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Expungement of prior cannabis convictions
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Regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoids like Delta-8
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How rural farming communities could benefit from cultivation
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Concerns about youth access and public health
Marijuana Legalisation: How Other States Compare
North Carolina isn’t starting from scratch. The council is expected to study legalisation models in other states, picking apart what’s worked and what’s gone off the rails.
Here’s a quick look at where things stand nationally:
| State | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Legal recreational + medical | One of the first states to legalise in 2012 |
| Virginia | Legal but not fully operational | Still ironing out retail sales timeline |
| South Carolina | Fully illegal | Only very limited CBD use is allowed |
| Tennessee | Illegal | Some movement on medical, but stalled |
| North Carolina | Illegal (recreational), limited medical CBD | Currently studying broader legalisation |
Governor Stein says he wants a “safe, fair, and well-regulated” market. But the path there won’t be copy-paste from Colorado or California. North Carolina has unique demographics, agriculture and political baggage to contend with.
The Council’s Work Could Shape the 2025 Legislative Agenda
Even if the council’s findings aren’t binding, they’re expected to influence legislation in 2025.
And let’s be honest—timing matters. With the next governor’s race looming and several key seats up for grabs, cannabis could be a hot-button issue in the upcoming campaign cycle.
Lawmakers know it. Advocates know it. Voters are watching.
Law Enforcement and Health Experts Are Watching Closely
Not everyone’s excited about legal weed.
Some law enforcement officials have voiced concerns about impaired driving, increased drug use among teens, and how officers will test for THC impairment on the roads. Others are worried about the unknowns around new cannabis products like Delta-9 gummies or high-potency THC vapes.
But health experts are also being invited into the fold. One council member is Dr. Susan Kansagra, who oversees chronic disease and injury at the state Department of Health. She’s expected to help the council weigh the medical risks and public health data that will shape regulations.
Her voice could carry serious weight with lawmakers later down the road.
A Slow March Toward a Legal Market?
The council will meet multiple times over the coming months, with a final report expected before the end of the year.
They’re expected to debate everything from tax rates and licensing rules to equity programs and agricultural standards. And while no one expects dispensaries to pop up overnight, this is easily the most serious cannabis policy conversation the state has had to date.
Legal weed isn’t here yet—but this council might just be the beginning of the end for prohibition in the Tar Heel State.
