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North Carolina Cannabis Overview
Cannabis laws in North Carolina are evolving, and North Carolina cannabis legalization for medical use is closer than ever before. The “Compassionate Care Act”, also known as Senate bill 3 was added to the hemp regulation bill, which approves medicinal cannabis use and distribution of hemp products.
Following this addition to the Hemp Regulation bill, the Senate voted on, and passed bill 563 into the second voting stage. If passed by the House, bill 563 would allow hemp products containing 0.3% delta-9 THC to be distributed and consumed as a medical cannabis product. The measure is anticipated to go into a second Senate vote on June 24, 2024. If the second vote passes, the bill will be sent to the House of Representatives for a final decision.
What is House Bill 563?
This bill regulates the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of hemp products. Anyone who wants to make, distribute, or sell products with hemp-derived cannabinoids in this state must get a license from the Commission under the provisions of this act. This bill has just been sent to the second voting stage, which would allow for hemp products to be used as medical cannabis products. This change would kick start the medical cannabis market.
To get a license you must:
- Provide the Commission with any necessary information.
- Pay the required fee:
There is $5,000 for a manufacturing license, $2,500 for a distribution license, and $100 per location for a sales license.
Licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
What is the Compassionate Care Act: Senate Bill 3?
Senate bill 3, also called the “N.C. Compassionate Care Act” defines the debilitating conditions that would justify the purchase of medical cannabis products, and establishes a framework for the distribution of medical cannabis.
These measures will need to be taken if amendments to House bill 563 are passed and hemp products are allowed to be used by medical patients as a treatment.
This includes the following:
Setting up a Compassionate Use Advisory Board and a Medical Cannabis Production Commission to manage the medical cannabis program.
Creating a system for registry ID cards for eligible patients and their caregivers, and setting rules for doctors to prescribe medical cannabis.
Allowing licensed suppliers to grow, produce, and sell cannabis and cannabis products at medical cannabis centers, with security, testing, and other regulations in place.
Making medical cannabis use legal, giving patients and suppliers some legal protections, and banning smoking or vaping cannabis in certain public areas.
Creating a fund to manage and enforce the program, with extra money going to the state’s General Fund.
If the bill is passed, medical cannabis would become available to qualified individuals suffering from debilitating conditions including:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- HIV/AIDS
- Crohn’s Disease
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Cachexia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Any Terminal illness where the patient has less than 6 months to live.
- PTSD patients who can prove they have experienced one or more traumatic events.
- Any condition that requires an individual to receive hospice care.
Anyone receiving medical cannabis would need to receive a registry identification card from the Department of Health and Human Services, which would require a written certification from a physician. The certification would need to display that the potential health benefits of medical cannabis outweigh the risks for the patient, and feature a completed application form.
What’s Next for North Carolina Medical Cannabis?
If bill 563 is passed, there will be a medical cannabis market in North Carolina. However, this does not mean there will immediately be dispensaries in North Carolina.
There will be a set timeframe in which regulations must be finalized and released. This will determine how and when and what kind of medical cannabis businesses can be established, and specifics about how medical cannabis will be sold to qualifying patients.
Another big step in North Carolina cannabis legalization would be the passing of House bill 626. This bill proposes general provisions for North Carolina cannabis legalization and the framework to regulate the sale, possession, and use of cannabis.
If passed, the bill would create cannabis laws in North Carolina that allow people 21 and older to legally use and possess cannabis. It would also establish a system for different types of cannabis businesses like cultivation facilities, delivery services, testing labs, and retail stores. However, this bill has not been passed, so recreational and medical cannabis sales and businesses are still illegal.
Why Work with CannDelta?
When the time is right, reach out CannDelta for cannabis licensing and business support in North Carolina. Our team of cannabis consultants has launched over 300 medical and recreational businesses all across America and internationally. Our team can assist with the entire process of obtaining the required licenses, and operationalizing your business. Here’s how we can help:
Cannabis License Applications:
Enter the cannabis market with confidence. Our team provides comprehensive support in preparing, submitting, and monitoring your license application to ensure compliance and competitiveness.
Business Plan Development:
Build a solid foundation for your cannabis business. We create business plans that meet regulatory requirements and pave the way for sustained growth.
Security Plan:
Our experts develop thorough security plans to protect your assets, meet state regulations, and give you peace of mind.
Site Audits and Inspections:
Stay ahead with our detailed site audits. We identify potential issues and offer practical solutions to maintain compliance and efficiency.
Standard Operating Procedures:
Enhance your daily operations with a tailored operating plan designed to improve efficiency. We create clear, compliant SOPs that ensure smooth business operations.
Marketing Plan:
Make your brand stand out! We help build your brand and develop outreach strategies to establish your presence in North Carolina’s emerging cannabis market.
Employee Staffing and Training Plan:
With our recruitment strategies and personalized training programs, we ensure your team is ready to excel in the cannabis industry.
Fill out the form below to get in touch with our North Carolina cannabis consultants today!
North Carolina’s cannabis Industry is changing fast. Due to ongoing legislative changes, all information may not be completely accurate. The information on this page is not legal advice. Reach out to get the most up-to-date North Carolina cannabis business support!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I Open a Dispensary in North Carolina?
It is currently illegal to open dispensaries in North Carolina for recreational and medical use, however, this could change in the near future. If the required legislation is passed, North Carolina could authorize 10 medical cannabis supplier licenses which would allow 10 businesses to cultivate, process, and dispense medical cannabis products.
When will Cannabis be Legal in North Carolina?
There have been attempts made to amend the cannabis laws in North Carolina, but it’s still considered a schedule 6 drug, making it illegal. As of now, only hemp is legal in NC, but the medical cannabis market could be on the rise depending on whether bill 563 is passed. In short, this bill would authorize the distribution of hemp products to medical patients.
Can I Start a Cannabis Business in North Carolina?
As of now you cannot start a cannabis business, but you can start a hemp business in North Carolina. You can grow, manufacture, and sell hemp products in North Carolina with the appropriate licenses. However, it is likely that the laws surrounding medical and recreational cannabis will continue to evolve in North Dakota in the near future following discussions of bill 563 and bill 3.
Is Medical Cannabis Legal in North Carolina?
Medical cannabis is not yet legal in North Carolina, however, medical hemp products could become legal during the summer in 2024. There is a medical framework that’s been established to determine the rules and debilitating conditions that would qualify a patient for medical cannabis. These details were outlined in bill 3. The conditions include cancer, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, crohn’s disease, sickle cell anemia, and more.
