North Carolina Lawmaker Files Cannabis Legalization Bill
March 19, 2025
A North Carolina state lawmaker this week introduced legislation to legalize cannabis for adults. Dubbed the Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act (House Bill 413), the measure was filed by Democratic state Rep. Jordan Lopez on Monday.
If passed, the bill would legalize marijuana possession, use and cultivation for adults aged 21 and older. The measure does not legalize smoking cannabis in public or while operating a motor vehicle.
House Bill 413 requires personal cannabis cultivation to be carried in an area out of public view, including from another private property, WBTV news reported on Tuesday. Marijuana could only be cultivated on land owned by the grower, or with the permission of the property owner. Additionally, property owners would be permitted to prohibit marijuana smoking in rental housing.
In a post on the social media platform X, Lopez wrote that “a majority of North Carolinians want to see marijuana legalized, either recreationally and/or medically. While I clearly support the former, this conversation is still long overdue!”
Cannabis Legalization Bill Authorizes Retail Sales
The legislation directs the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to adopt rules to regulate commercial cannabis production and sales. The bill also sets an excise 30% tax on recreational marijuana sales.
A quarter of cannabis tax revenue would be directed to a “Reinvestment and Repair Fund,” which would distribute funds to organizations serving communities adversely impacted by poverty, unemployment, systemic racism or mass incarceration. The bill also includes provisions to expunge past convictions for cannabis-related offenses legalized by the measure.
“The war on drugs disproportionately affected black and brown communities. We know this. It is well documented,” Lopez told WCNC Charlotte. “Ensuring that when they get out, they can get back on their feet. As we already know, reentry into society after serving for an offense is difficult and oftentimes leads to recidivism and we want to stop that pattern and provide opportunities for folks to really build better lives.”
Half of cannabis tax revenue would be dedicated to the state’s general fund, with additional funding going to research and substance abuse programs.
The bill permits municipalities to add a 2% tax to cannabis sales in their jurisdictions. Registered medical cannabis patients would be exempt from cannabis excise taxes and local taxes.
Fate Of Legalization Bill Uncertain
Previous bills to legalize medical cannabis or recreational marijuana have been rejected by the state legislature. Last year, a bill to legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina was approved by the Senate, but the state House of Representatives failed to follow suit.
While he is unsure if his bill will pass, Lopez said he is happy the new legislation is continuing the conversation about cannabis policy reform.
“There has been a bill filed by Republican senators several times now to legalize medicinal marijuana, or medical marijuana. I’m taking a more recreational approach, but even the medical approach has stalled several times here in the legislature,” said Lopez. “It would get a lot of attention, and folks would be very vocal about their support or opposition for it, but unfortunately, I’m not super confident that we’ll even have the opportunity to have that.”
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