The North Carolina Senate is considering Senate Bill 711, The Compassionate Care Act, which would legalize medical marijuana in this state.
The sponsors say this act would give North Carolina the strictest medical marijuana law in the country.
Below are some questions and answers about who could get medical marijuana and how a medical marijuana law would be implemented if S711 becomes law.
This information is current as of early August 2021 and is subject to change. The latest version of S711 is available at the N.C. General Assembly website.
Rules for patients
How would someone qualify to get medical marijuana?
A physician must do a full assessment of the patient’s medical history, including an in-person physical exam, and provide written certification that the patient has a debilitating medical condition for which cannabis would provide more benefits than risks.
How much medical marijuana would the patient be allowed to have?
The patient is allowed no more than a 30-day supply.
Would a patient need a special ID cards?
Patients and designated caregivers must get registration identification cards in order to lawfully purchase medical marijuana. The price is not set by the bill, but is capped at $50.
Would minors be allowed to use medical marijuana?
Medical cannabis could be provided to qualified patients under age 18 so long as it is not in an inhalable form.
Medical Conditions
What illnesses or health conditions would qualify for treatment with medical marijuana?
► Cancer, epilepsy, HIV, AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Crohn’s disease. Sickle cell anemia, Parkinson’s disease.
► Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) provided that the patient has evidence they experienced one or more traumatic events, such as military service in an active, was the victim of a violent or sexual crime, or that the person was a first responder.
► Multiple sclerosis, cachexia or wasting syndrome.
► Severe or persistent nausea that is related to end-of-life or hospice care, or in a person who is bedridden or homebound because of a condition (and the patient must not be pregnant).
► Other debilitating medical conditions of the same kind or that are comparable to those listed above.
I have another illness not listed — can that be added?
More health conditions could added to this list by the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board. This board would be created if medical marijuana becomes legal.
Production and sales
Where would medical marijuana be produced and sold?
It would be produced at licensed production facilities and sold at licensed medical cannabis centers.
How many sales locations would there be?
Statewide, only 10 medical cannabis supplier licenses would be issued for the production or sales of medicinal marijuana products.
Each licensee could operate up to four medical cannabis centers, so statewide there would be a maximum of 40 places that people could purchase medical marijuana.
I live in a poor area, would any of the 40 medical cannabis centers open near me?
S711 says each licensee would be required to place at least two of their four medical cannabis centers in the state’s “Tier One” counties. Tier One counties are the ones that the state government classifies as its most economically distressed.
In 2021, there are 41 Tier One counties, so up to 20 of the shops would be spread among…
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