Weed in North Carolina: Cannabis Legal Status Guide
- 1. Low-level marijuana offenses and penalties
- 1. a. Driving while impaired by marijuana in north carolina
- 2. Legality of hemp and hemp products in nc
- 2. a. So, are delta 10 and delta 8 legal in north carolina?
- 2. b. Is it legal to smoke thca in nc?
- 2. c. Is cbd legal in north carolina?
- 3. Medical marijuana legalization in nc and its prospects
- 4. Attempts at legalizing recreational use
- 4. a. Weed legalized by the eastern band of cherokee indians
- 5. Final thoughts
As of now, North Carolina remains one of only seven states that are yet to legalize even the medical use of marijuana. However, the political landscape changes quickly across all of the US, and North Carolina isn’t an exception. The state legislators have been actively debating the medical marijuana issue during the last few sessions, and even the adult-use legalization in NC is now a part of public discourse. Read on to stay current about cannabis laws in North Carolina and the prospects of further legalization.
Low-Level Marijuana Offenses and Penalties
Since cannabis is an illegal commodity in North Carolina – no matter how small an amount is involved – it’s very important to know exactly how much trouble you can run into if you’re a cannabis smoker in NC.
The only thing that is really legal is owning and using marijuana-smoking paraphernalia, but manufacturing and selling those is against the law. The possession of a small amount of dry flowers or concentrates, such as hash, has been decriminalized, meaning that the offender doesn’t risk incarceration for that but will have to pay a $200 fine. Find more offenses and penalties in the table below:
| Offense/Amount | Incarceration | Minimum Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Possession of botanical cannabis | ||
| up to 0.5 oz | None | $200 |
| 0.5-1.5 oz | 1-120 days | Not mandatory |
| 1.5 oz - 10 lbs | 3-8 months | Not mandatory |
| Possession of concentrates (hash, wax, rosin, etc.) | ||
| up to 0.05 oz | None | $200 |
| 0.05 - 0.15 oz | 1-120 days | Not mandatory |
| 0.15+ oz | 4-6 months | Not mandatory |
| Possession with intent to sell | ||
| 10-50 lbs | 25-39 months | Not mandatory |
| Sale or delivery | ||
| up to 5 g with no remuneration | Treated the same as simple possession | |
| up to 10 lbs | 3- 8 months | Not mandatory |
| 10-50 lbs | 25-39 months | $5,000 |
| Cultivation | ||
| up to 10 lbs | 3- 8 months | Not mandatory |
| 10-50 lbs | 25-39 months | $5,000 |
Driving While Impaired by Marijuana in North Carolina
Besides being illegal, operating a vehicle when your judgment is impaired by cannabis is irresponsible and endangers other people, so it’s best to avoid driving when you’re high.
On the other hand, if you have consumed some weed in the recent past but no longer feel any psychoactive effects, the THC and/or its metabolites can still be found in your urine and blood for several days and even weeks – depending on how much and how often you smoke. And North Carolina’s laws don’t specify any lowest limit for THC in your system, so theoretically, you can be charged with DWI for any detectable levels of THC.
The police can’t pull you over for no reason, which means they only stop the cars whose drivers display some reckless or erratic behavior or the police have reasons to suspect that a crime has been committed. Once they do pull you over, they will look for such signs of marijuana use as bloodshot eyes, weed smell, confusion, drowsiness, disorientation, slurred speech, etc. They may perform a field sobriety test and ask for a chemical test. You may refuse to undergo a chemical test, but this will automatically revoke your driver’s license for 1 year, and you’re likely to still be arrested and charged with DWI based on other criteria.
Driving while impaired by marijuana may cost you up to $2,000 in fines, up to 2 years in jail, and the suspension of your driver’s license for up to 1 year.
Legality of Hemp and Hemp Products in NC
There’s a growing number of hemp stores in North Carolina selling products that feel and smell exactly like regular marijuana buds and even make you high but are legal nonetheless. How is it possible?
The thing is that these products are manufactured from hemp, a variety of the cannabis plant that is the same botanical species but happens to produce 0.3% THC or less. While THC is the primary psychoactive ingredient in this plant species, there are also other, lesser cannabinoids, and we don’t mean only CBD but also other chemicals, such as delta-8-THC, delta-10-THC, and THC-A.
So, Are Delta 10 and Delta 8 Legal in North Carolina?
As long as they were produced from hemp, these two are legal in NC. Both Delta 8 and Delta 10 are closely related to delta-9-THC and produce a similar though less potent high, but they aren’t included in any schedule of the federal Dangerous Narcotics Act, and although some states chose to take a hardline approach that anything that makes you high should be illegal, North Carolina didn’t go this route.
Is It Legal to Smoke THCa in NC?
THCa is a precursor to THC, meaning that it can be converted to THC and quite easily too. All you need is to apply some high temperature, and this is what naturally happens when you light up your marijuana cigarette. Although THCa turns into THC during smoking, this substance doesn’t appear on the list of illicit drugs and is technically legal in the US, including North Carolina. The main thing is that the product that contains THCa be made from hemp and contain no more than 0.3% THC.
As for smoking THCa, the general rules, including the ban on indoor smoking apply. Be discreet and try not to endanger or disturb others.
Is CBD Legal in North Carolina?
The legality of CBD proceeds from the same principles as any other cannabinoid or in fact any chemical found in cannabis – if it was made from hemp by a licensed producer and if the product contains no more than 0.3% THC, which is the legal definition of hemp, it can be legally sold, purchased, possessed, or used throughout the United States. Just bear in mind that it’s illegal in North Carolina to extract CBD from high-potency cannabis strains.
Besides, there’s a law in North Carolina that allows patients with epilepsy, who have received their doctor’s recommendation, to buy and use a CBD oil product that has as much as 0.9% THC if it also has at least 5% CBD. This is the only valid therapeutic use in the state’s very limited medical marijuana program (see more below).
Medical Marijuana Legalization in NC and Its Prospects
The only successful medical bill in NC was HB766 which was passed by both chambers in 2015 and legalized the use of CBD oil for intractable epilepsy. This law allows for a somewhat higher level of THC (0.9% vs 0.3%) compared to over-the-counter CBD products manufactured from hemp (see above), but it didn’t create any supply chains within the state so that patients could legally get their medicine.
All attempts of passing a more comprehensive and working medical marijuana program in North Carolina have failed so far. The most recent bill was passed by the Senate in 2023 but not by the House. Meanwhile, the polls show a very wide and growing public support for medical cannabis legalization in the state – with 73% being in favor of this move in 2021 and 82% in 2022.
Attempts at Legalizing Recreational Use
The first proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis in North Carolina was made by a group of Democrats in 2023. House Bill 626 introduced in the General Assembly seeks to allow NC residents who are 21 years or older to legally use and possess marijuana. It also proposes the creation of a system of growing, processing, and testing facilities, as well as retail stores for marijuana and its products.
Another aim of the bill is to redress the wrongs done by the prohibition in the past – by expunging previous, non-violent marijuana convictions and by creating equity programs that would help minorities the most affected by the War on Drugs to participate in the burgeoning cannabis industry.
So far, the bill didn’t go farther than the Committee On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.
Weed Legalized by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
In September 2023, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians held a referendum that legalized marijuana on the tribe’s lands. It’s not the first time that Native Americans have passed a legalization measure in a state that prohibits the use of the substance. Apart from being a huge magnet for tourists, the existence of a territory where marijuana is legal will likely strengthen the push for reform in the rest of North Carolina. Particularly, it revived the hopes that the Republican-controlled state would finally proceed with the long-awaited medical marijuana legalization.
Final Thoughts
Marijuana reform in North Carolina appears imminent, and the state residents embrace at least the legalization of the medical use of the substance. Meanwhile, personal possession and use have been decriminalized, so that the smokers don’t have to spend a day in jail if they’re caught with insignificant amounts of cannabis. Other offenses remain punishable by incarceration, and caution is advised for local cannabis enthusiasts and those visiting N.C. Stay safe!
