Medical Cannabis Wins in NC Senate, Faces House Hurdle

In a 36-10 vote on Monday evening, the North Carolina Senate passed House Bill 563, a comprehensive piece of legislation that would permit the use of medical marijuana and impose strict regulations on hemp-derived consumables. The bill now moves to the North Carolina House, where its fate remains uncertain due to a lack of consensus within the Republican caucus.

Key Debates and Concerns

Senator Tom McInnis (R-Cumberland, Moore) expressed significant reservations about the bill, emphasizing concerns raised by his local sheriff. He noted the broad scope of conditions that could be treated under the bill, as defined by the Compassionate Use Advisory Board.

“Any condition, ladies and gentlemen, is fair game for treatment under this bill as it is written,” McInnis warned. “Paralysis, gonorrhea, broken heart, anything that that group says is going to be okay.”

McInnis argued that the bill could pave the way for the legalization of recreational marijuana, a sentiment echoed by other conservative legislators.

Amendment and Legislative Maneuvers

In response to these concerns, bill sponsor Senator Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick) proposed an amendment to ensure that if marijuana is rescheduled or removed as a controlled substance under federal law, it cannot be legalized for recreational use at the state level without approval from the North Carolina General Assembly. This amendment passed by a vote of 26-20.

Senator Norm Sanderson (R-Carteret) urged his colleagues to reconsider the bill, warning of potential increases in black market activities.

“Wait until this becomes law, if it does, we’re really going to see an explosion in the black market,” Sanderson cautioned. “Because people are not going to be satisfied with the current level where we’ve set the THC in this medical marijuana.”

Support from Medical Advocates

On the other side of the debate, Senator Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford) voiced strong support for the bill after consulting with medical experts.

“I have talked to the medical center doctors at Duke and UNC Chapel Hill that have provided research and care for sickle cell patients,” Robinson said. “And their advice to me has been that they feel that medical marijuana will help sickle cell patients to regulate the pain.”

Addressing Regulatory Oversight

Senator Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) highlighted past regulatory oversights with hemp-derived products and stressed the importance of maintaining stringent controls over THC-containing products.

“We missed the concept that a single gummy bear could be considered 12 doses. But we didn’t see that coming,” Hise said. “Make sure that we are regulating the products in North Carolina that contain THC, whether it’s marijuana or whether it’s some other derived form of synthetic.”

Hise also shared personal experiences with the negative effects of high-dose painkillers on cancer patients, suggesting that medical marijuana could be a preferable alternative.

“I’ve seen what high doses of Oxycontin will do to them. And I don’t suspect that marijuana is worse,” Hise added.

Legislative Outcome and Next Steps

Seventeen Republicans, including Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, joined all Democrats in the chamber to vote for the bill. The ten opposing votes were all from Republicans.

House Bill 563 now heads to the North Carolina House, where its prospects are uncertain. House Speaker Tim Moore has previously indicated that there may not be enough support within the Republican caucus to pass medical marijuana legislation.

As the bill advances, stakeholders on both sides will be closely monitoring developments and preparing for further debates on the future of medical marijuana in North Carolina.