With its first meeting set for Tuesday, the North Carolina Cannabis Advisory Council is now asking residents to weigh in on the marijuana policy issues that matter most to them.

Governor Josh Stein signed an executive order in June establishing the council, which brings together lawmakers, public health officials, law enforcement, agriculture leaders, tribal representatives, and advocates. The council’s purpose is to examine possible regulatory models for legal adult-use marijuana and hemp in North Carolina, a state that has yet to legalize either.

“If you are an adult and that’s the choice you want to make, you should be able to make that choice,” said Governor Stein at the time of the order, emphasizing his support for legalization while acknowledging that implementing policy would be complex. “There are real, complicated, practical implications of every decision you make.”

In a new comment form posted on the council’s website, North Carolinians are invited to share their thoughts on cannabis reform and how it could impact their communities.

“The North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis, created by Governor Josh Stein in Executive Order No. 16, seeks comments from the public on the cannabis policy issues that are important to you and your community”, states the council’s website. “To submit your comments, please fill out each of the fields in the form below.”

The executive order that created the council warns that the current lack of regulation—particularly around age restrictions, THC potency, and product safety—poses risks, especially to young people. It states that smart regulation would not only address public health concerns but also offer economic benefits by bringing structure to what is currently an unregulated market.