RALEIGH, N.C. (WLOS) — Governor Josh Stein announced Wednesday the formation of a State Advisory Council on Cannabis to address the unregulated cannabis market in North Carolina.

“Today, all across North Carolina, there are unregulated intoxicating THC products available for purchase: just walk into any vape shop. There is no legal minimum age to purchase these products! That means that kids are buying them,” Stein said, in part, via press release Wednesday. “Let’s get this right and create a safe, legal market for adults that protects kids.”

Stein said that without enforceable labeling requirements, adults in North Carolina are recreationally using these products without full awareness of how much THC they are consuming.

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The State Advisory Council on Cannabis will be tasked with “studying and recommending a comprehensive approach to regulate cannabis sales,” Stein said via the release.

The council will create a system that “protects youth, allows adult sales, ensures public safety, promotes public health, supports North Carolina agriculture, expunges past convictions of simple THC possession, and invests the revenues in resources for addiction, mental health, and drugged driving detection,” per the release.

Stein signed the executive order to create the council on Tuesday, May 3.

Stein urged the General Assembly to take immediate action by prohibiting the sale of products containing “intoxicating” THC to anyone under 21 and requiring photo ID to verify a buyer’s age. Stein also called for packaging that clearly indicates the contents and THC levels of all cannabis products.

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“The status quo of zero protection of our kids is absolutely unacceptable,” Stein said via the release. “Let’s work together on a thoughtful, comprehensive solution that allows sales to adults and that is grounded in public safety and health.”

Representatives will include officials from the Office of State Budget and Management, the State Highway Patrol, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the General Assembly and the Departments of Health and Human Services, Public Safety, Revenue, Transportation and Justice.

Click this link for a full list of North Carolina leaders who will serve as the co-chairs and members of the newly formed council.