The potential legalization of medical marijuana in North Carolina seems unlikely in the 2023 legislative cycle, according to House Speaker Tim Moore’s comments on Tuesday.
A Lack of Bipartisan Support
While Moore supports the bipartisan bill, it doesn’t garner sufficient backing from the Republican House majority to move forward. In line with the House Republican Caucus rules, a bill must secure a majority of its members’ approval to reach the voting stage—even if it would likely pass with Democratic support alone.
Moore suggested this rule implies changing the stance of several House members from opposition to support, which he deems improbable.
Future Prospects
After conversations with the Republican caucus, Moore agreed with House Majority Leader John Bell’s recent public observations: the bill lacks enough support to progress in this session. Bell hinted at Spectrum News that the legalization matter may resurface in next year’s primary legislative session, likely starting in May.
Bell emphasized the divide within the caucus, with members expressing strong support or stern opposition.
However, not all hope is lost. Democratic Senator Paul Lowe, a major sponsor of the medical marijuana bill, assured the Raleigh News & Observer that the bill is not “dead”.
Positive Dialogue
Lowe remains optimistic about ongoing talks with the House Speaker and other Republican leaders. He expressed hope about caucus members reconsidering their stance, but chose not to name any individuals.
Lowe firmly believes in pursuing the bill in the following short session if it doesn’t materialize in the long session this year.
What The Bill Proposes
The North Carolina Compassionate Care Act (Senate Bill 3), presented in January, was co-sponsored by Republican Senators Bill Rabon and Michael Lee, along with Lowe, their Democratic peer. It aims to sanction the medicinal usage of cannabis for patients suffering from specific severe conditions, such as cancer, ALS, and Parkinson’s disease, among others. However, the bill does not permit patients with chronic pain to use medical marijuana.
Medical, Not Recreational
The bill’s sponsors stress that it does not intend to legalize recreational marijuana. Instead, it aspires to shield patients and their doctors from legal consequences, not altering existing laws regarding non-medical marijuana use, Rabon clarified.
The bill proposes that patients with a severe medical condition be allowed to use medical cannabis, with physicians annually assessing the patient’s eligibility. Patients would need a state medical marijuana identification card to participate in the program, and the state Department of Health and Human Services would create a confidential database containing information about patients, caregivers, and physicians.
The Bill’s Progress
The North Carolina Senate approved the bill on March 1, with a broad bipartisan majority and forwarded it to the state House of Representatives. In May, the House Health Committee heard the bill, but it has been dormant in the chamber since then.
Recently, Rabon attempted to push the bill by adding an amendment to another unrelated bill, supported by the House Republicans. Despite the Senate’s approval of the amendment, the bill awaits further action in the House.
Voices in Favor
State Senator Julie Mayfield, a co-sponsor of a bill to legalize recreational marijuana, believes the medical marijuana bill should get a chance to be voted on in the House.
Mayfield stated that North Carolina should no longer delay the legalization of medical cannabis, claiming that if the Speaker would allow a vote, the bill would pass with an overwhelming Democratic support. “It’s time to let democracy work,” she urged.
