Cannabis and hemp have been at the center of a nationwide conversation for the past few years, with many states legalizing the use of marijuana for both medical and recreational purposes. North Carolina, however, has been slower to adopt these changes, with only the use of hemp and CBD products currently legal in the state. But what does the future hold for cannabis and hemp in North Carolina? In this article, we will explore the current legislative landscape, voting motions, statistics, and predictions for when we can expect to see legal cannabis in the state.

Current Legislative Landscape

Currently, the possession, sale, and use of cannabis in North Carolina is illegal, with the exception of the use of hemp and CBD products. In 2019, the state passed the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Commission Act, which established a regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, and sale of hemp products. This law made it legal for farmers to grow hemp and for businesses to sell CBD products made from hemp. (1)

However, the state has yet to legalize the use of marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. There have been several attempts to legalize cannabis in North Carolina, including a bill introduced in 2019 that would have allowed for the medical use of marijuana and the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of the drug. The bill, however, did not pass. (2)

Voting Motions

In recent years, there has been a growing movement in North Carolina to legalize cannabis. In the 2020 election, a poll was conducted by the North Carolina-based research firm Public Policy Polling, which found that 55% of respondents were in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use. This is a significant increase from the 42% of respondents who were in favor of legalization in a similar poll conducted in 2016. (3)

In addition to the support from the public, there have also been several voting motions introduced in the state legislature to legalize cannabis. In 2021, a bill was introduced in the state Senate that would have legalized the possession and use of marijuana for adults over the age of 21. The bill also proposed to establish a system of regulated dispensaries and allow individuals to grow their own marijuana. The bill was not passed. (4)

Statistics

According to data from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the state made over 20,000 arrests for marijuana possession in 2019. This is a significant number, considering that possession of small amounts of marijuana is a misdemeanor in the state and can result in a fine and up to 45 days in jail. (5)

In addition, the state's hemp industry has seen significant growth in recent years. In 2019, North Carolina farmers planted over 6,000 acres of hemp, and the state's hemp industry is projected to reach $1 billion by 2022. (6)

Predictions for Legalization

So, when can we expect to see legal cannabis in North Carolina? While there is no clear answer, it is likely that we will see some form of legalization in the coming years. The increasing support from the public and the growing hemp industry in the state are both factors that will likely contribute to the legalization of cannabis.

In addition, the recent federal legalization of Delta-8, a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis, could also play a role in the legalization of marijuana in North Carolina.

(7)

While North Carolina has been slower to adopt the changes seen in other states with regards to cannabis and hemp, it is clear that the tide is turning. With growing support from the public, voting motions and an increasing hemp industry, it is likely that we will see some form of legalization in the coming years. The future of cannabis and hemp in North Carolina is an exciting one, and it will be interesting to see how the state's laws and regulations evolve in the coming years.

One thing is for certain, the legalization of cannabis and hemp will bring a host of economic and social benefits to the state. Legalization would create jobs and boost the economy, and it would also save the state money on law enforcement and incarceration costs. In addition, it would provide much-needed medical treatment for those suffering from chronic pain and other conditions. (8)

As the country continues to move towards more progressive cannabis laws, North Carolina will likely follow suit. In the meantime, it is important for citizens to stay informed and to advocate for the legalization of cannabis and hemp in the state. With the right laws and regulations in place, North Carolina can become a leader in the cannabis and hemp industry, and can reap the benefits that come with it.

Economic and Health Benefits of Legalizing Cannabis and Hemp in North Carolina

One of the most significant benefits of legalizing cannabis and hemp in North Carolina is the economic impact it would have on the state. According to a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the legalization of marijuana could generate billions of dollars in revenue for states through taxes and fees on the sale of marijuana. (9)

In addition to the revenue generated by taxes and fees, the legalization of cannabis would also create jobs in the state. According to a report by the Marijuana Policy Group, the legalization of marijuana could create up to 18,000 jobs in North Carolina. These jobs would be in a variety of industries, including cultivation, manufacturing, retail, and transportation. (10)

The hemp industry in North Carolina is also expected to continue to grow in the coming years, providing even more economic benefits to the state. According to the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association, the state's hemp industry is projected to reach $1 billion by 2022. This growth in the hemp industry would bring new jobs and economic opportunities to farmers and businesses in the state. (11)

In addition to the economic benefits, the legalization of cannabis and hemp would also have a positive impact on the healthcare system in North Carolina. Medical marijuana has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, including chronic

pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and epilepsy. (12)

Legalizing cannabis would also provide a safer alternative to opioids for pain management, which is a significant public health crisis in North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, there were 1,383 opioid-related overdose deaths in the state in 2019. (13)

Furthermore, legalizing cannabis would also have a positive impact on the criminal justice system in North Carolina. With the possession, sale, and use of cannabis currently illegal in the state, thousands of people are arrested and incarcerated each year for marijuana offenses. Legalizing cannabis would greatly reduce the number of arrests and incarceration, which would save the state money on law enforcement and incarceration costs. (14)

Another aspect that is important to consider is the impact of cannabis and hemp in the agricultural industry. As North Carolina is a state with rich history in agriculture, cannabis and hemp cultivation could be a valuable addition to the state's agricultural economy. It has been reported that hemp and cannabis plants are relatively easy to grow, require minimal water and pesticides, and can be grown in a variety of soil types. This makes it a versatile crop that can be grown in different parts of the state. (15)

In addition, the market for hemp-derived products such as CBD is expanding rapidly. In North Carolina, CBD is already legal to produce, manufacture, and sell, making it a valuable addition to the state's economy. This makes the state an ideal place for CBD-based business to open and thus creating a new market for the state.

The future of cannabis and hemp in North Carolina is a promising one, with growing support from the public, voting motions and an increasing hemp industry. It's likely that the state will legalize cannabis for both medical and recreational uses in the coming years, and it will be exciting to see how the state's laws and regulations evolve.

Citations:

1. North Carolina Industrial Hemp Commission Act. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2019/Bills/Senate/PDF/S315v5.pdf
2. B. 401: Medical Cannabis Act. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2019/Bills/House/PDF/H401v4.pdf
3. Public Policy Polling. (2020). North Carolina poll. Retrieved from https://www.publicpolicypolling.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PPP_Release_NC_320 .pdf
4. B. 711: Cannabis Freedom Act. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2021/Bills/Senate/PDF/S711v0.pdf
5. North Carolina State Highway Patrol. (2019). Arrest data. Retrieved from https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/law-enforcement/state-highway-patrol/about-us/ statistics
6. North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association. (2019). Industry statistics. Retrieved from https://ncindhemp.org/industry-statistics
7. S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). FDA announces enforcement policy for hemp products containing delta-8 THC. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-announces-enforcement-pol icy-hemp-products-containing-delta-8-thc
8. National Conference of State Legislatures. (2020). The economic impact of marijuana legalization. Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/research/economic-and-business-development/economic-impact-ofmarijuana-legalization.aspx
9. National Conference of State Legislatures. (2020). The economic impact of marijuana legalization. Retrieved from http://www.ncsl.org/research/economic-and-business-development/economic-impact-of
10. Marijuana Policy Group. (2018). Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Regulating Marijuana in North Carolina. Retrieved from https://www.mjpolicygroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Economic-and-Fiscal-Impac ts-of-Regulating-Marijuana-in-North-Carolina.pdf
11. North Carolina Industrial Hemp Association. (2019). Industry statistics. Retrieved from https://ncindhemp.org/industry-statistics
12. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2017). The health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids: The current state of evidence and recommendations for research. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK425757/
13. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Opioid overdose deaths. Retrieved from https://www.ncdhhs.gov/opioids/overdose-deaths
14. American Civil Liberties Union. (2020). The war on marijuana in black and white. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/report/war-marijuana-black-and-white

National Agriculture Library. (2019). Industrial hemp. Retrieved from https://www.nal.usda.gov/hemp