Legislation to legalize recreational marijuana in North Carolina now has 21 sponsors, following the introduction of identical bills in both the state House and Senate this week.
The House version, HB 413, was filed Monday by six Democratic lawmakers and has since grown to 17 sponsors. The Senate companion bill was introduced Wednesday by Senators Graig Meyer (D), Jay Chaudhuri (D), and Natalie Murdock (D), with Senator DeAndrea Salvador (D) signing on as a co-sponsor today, bringing the Senate total to four and the total for both measures to 21.
The Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act would legalize marijuana possession for adults 21 and older, allowing up to two ounces of marijuana, 15 grams of concentrates, and products containing up to 2,000 milligrams of THC. The legislation also allows home cultivation of up to six marijuana plants.
The legislation would establish a licensed and regulated retail marijuana market, imposing a 30% excise tax on sales, with municipalities having the option to add a 2% local tax. Revenue generated from these taxes would be allocated to community reinvestment initiatives, substance abuse treatment programs, education, and law enforcement training for detecting impaired driving.
Notable provisions include the automatic expungement of certain prior marijuana convictions and a commitment to social equity in licensing, with dedicated support for minority-owned businesses and communities disproportionately affected by past prohibition policies.
While marijuana legalization has faced significant hurdles in the Republican-controlled legislature, advocates believe that increasing public support and bipartisan sponsorship may improve its chances of advancing.
