The political landscape in North Carolina might be shifting when it comes to medical marijuana. House Speaker Destin Hall (R) suggested that Republican lawmakers could be more open to considering legalization this session. This potential change in stance follows years of legislative roadblocks that have kept medical cannabis bills from advancing in the state.
GOP Resistance to Medical Marijuana May Be Easing
For years, medical marijuana proposals have struggled to gain traction in the North Carolina House. Senator Bill Rabon (R), a longtime advocate, has repeatedly pushed legislation through the Senate, only to see it stall once it reaches the House. The Republican-controlled chamber simply hasn’t been willing to move forward—until now.
Hall, who took over as House Speaker this year, hinted that things might be different this time around. In an interview with The News & Observer, he indicated that GOP lawmakers could be more receptive to whatever medical marijuana bill the Senate sends over. This is a notable shift, considering past resistance within the Republican caucus.
The question is: what changed?
New Leadership, New Attitudes
Kevin Caldwell, a legislative manager for the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), believes the shift is driven by new faces in the House. Many recently elected Republican representatives, he says, are hearing from constituents who support medical marijuana and are open to exploring legalization.
“This is a monumental change from previous sessions,” Caldwell told Marijuana Moment. “There was not enough support within the Republican caucus to even hold hearings before. Now, it looks like we might finally be at a point where legislators recognize that tens of thousands of North Carolinians need access to regulated, lab-tested medical cannabis rather than relying on the unregulated hemp market or illicit sources.”
That’s a big statement. Past efforts have failed largely because House leadership refused to even bring the issue up for serious discussion. If Hall and his colleagues are now open to debate, the bill’s chances of survival improve dramatically.
Trump’s Influence on Republican Lawmakers
Another factor potentially swaying North Carolina Republicans? Former President Donald Trump.
Trump has publicly supported medical marijuana in the past and even endorsed a Florida ballot measure last year that sought to legalize adult-use cannabis. Some GOP lawmakers may be taking cues from him, recalibrating their positions to align with the party’s de facto leader.
“Over the course of the presidential campaign, President Trump voiced support for medical cannabis, and I believe that is filtering down to state legislators,” Caldwell said.
The idea isn’t far-fetched. Republican lawmakers who once shunned marijuana reform may now feel less political risk in supporting it, especially if they believe it aligns with Trump’s stance.
What Happens Next?
The Senate has already done its part, passing a medical marijuana bill multiple times. The real test will be whether the House follows through. Here’s what could happen:
- House committees take up the bill – If leadership allows hearings, it signals a true shift in attitude.
- Amendments and revisions – The House may seek changes to address concerns about regulation and access.
- A final vote – If enough Republicans support it, North Carolina could finally join the list of states with medical marijuana programs.
It’s still too early to declare victory for advocates, but the signs are promising. If Speaker Hall is serious about giving the proposal a fair shot, the state’s long-standing opposition to medical cannabis may finally be softening.
