Seven Democratic North Carolina lawmakers are sponsoring a bill that would legalize recreational cannabis in the state, erasing past marijuana-related offenses.
and legislation that was introduced in the state senate last week, Another suggestion follows In the state to legalize medical cannabis.
If passed, the recreational pot bill would legalize marijuana for adults 21 or older, and also “enact a 20% state tax on the sale.” [of marijuana]And the municipalities will be able to enact another 3% tax.” According to local news station WSOC.
at the stationThe tax revenue from marijuana sales will be divided as follows: “25% to the Reinvestment and Community Reform Fund created by the bill; 10% to the Social Justice Fund created by the Act; 3% to the Cannabis Education and Technical Assistance Fund created by the Act.” 7% to the Department of Health and Human Services for voluntary, evidence-based programs to treat or prevent substance abuse; 2% to DHHS for a youth and adult public education campaign about the health and safety risks of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and other substances, including driving while disabled; 2% to DHHS for Cannabis Research.
Up to 1% to the Department of Public Safety for Advanced Disrupted Driving Application Training and Drug Recognition Training; The remaining 50% of tax revenue will go to the General Fund.
Bill It also stipulates that previous convictions related to the paper be expunged from individuals’ records.
“If a person is charged with a marijuana or cannabis offense that is legal under Chapter 18d of the General Statute, and that person is convicted, that conviction will automatically be expunged no later than July 1, 2026, in the manner set forth in this section,” the legislation is reading.
North Carolina is one of the last remaining states where neither recreational nor medical marijuana is legal.
late last month, The North Carolina Senate approved the bill It would legalize medical cannabis treatment for individuals with qualifying conditions such as cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among others.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has pushed North Carolina lawmakers to reform cannabis laws.
In October, following President Joe Biden’s pardon of individuals convicted of federal marijuana, Cooper has called for the decriminalization of pot in North Carolina.
“A simple possession conviction can tarnish people’s records for life and potentially prevent them from getting a job,” Cooper said at the time.
“North Carolina must take steps to end this stigma,” the governor added.
In announcing the pardon, Biden urged “all governors to do the same for state crimes.”
“As I have often said during my campaign for President, no one should be in jail simply for using or possessing marijuana. Sending people to jail for possession of marijuana has upended so many lives and incarcerated them for behavior that many states no longer prohibit. It also mandated criminal records for possession. Marijuana unnecessary barriers to job opportunities, housing and education.Biden said in a statement at the time that while whites, blacks and browns use marijuana at similar rates, black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted and convicted at disproportionate rates.
“Federal law currently classifies marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act’s Schedule I, the designation reserved for the most dangerous substances. This is the same schedule as heroin and LSD, and even higher than fentanyl and methamphetamine — the drugs driving our overdose epidemic.” Biden added.
