Marijuana: What's legal in N.C.?

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What is the difference between hemp and marijuana?

Both hemp and marijuana come from the cannabis plant, but there are differences in the chemical make up of the two.

Marijuana refers to cannabis products containing the chemical compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is what makes a user feel “high.”

Hemp, on the other hand, is not the same as marijuana in North Carolina. Hemp has 0.3% or less of its weight in THC, which is not enough to make people feel the high associated with marijuana.

Hemp products are legal in N.C., while marijuana products are still considered illegal. 

Can you grow marijuana in North Carolina?

No — growing marijuana in North Carolina is a felony, regardless of the amount. Possession is also a crime, but small amounts of marijuana only results in a misdemeanor charge.

Is medical marijuana legal in North Carolina?

No, but the N.C. Senate voted Monday to approve the Compassionate Care Act, also known as SB 711, which would legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.

What conditions would qualify me for medical marijuana if SB 711 is passed?

Individuals who are diagnosed with a “debilitating condition” would qualify for a medical marijuana prescription under SB 711. The list of diagnoses include cancer, epilepsy, HIV, AIDS, ALS, Crohn’s disease, sickle cell anemia, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, Multiple sclerosis, Cachexia, persistent nausea due to end-of-life or hospice care or bedridden individuals, terminal illness if the life expectancy is less than six months, a condition resulting in hospice care and any other condition added to the list by the Compassionate Use Advisory Board, which will be established if the bill is passed.