Good morning yall!  I’ve been following along with great interest the progress and leanings of the NC Governor’s Cannabis Council.  At the last meeting of the structure commitee, they outlined the options they have to present to the full council, which will eventually recommend actions to the legislature.

​The possible recommendations are:

Full Prohibition and Criminalization (backwards from where we are)

DeCriminalization, where it is still illegal, and there are no legal places to purchase, but if you’re caught with small amounts it would just be a fine. (Kinda where we are, minus the hemp industry)

Medical Legalization, where you would have to qualify medically, and the list of qualifying conditions is subject to politics and ‘expert’ opinions.  (This is usually the first step states take, before moving to full Adult Use Legalization).

​Full Adult Use Legalization, where anyone over 21 can purchase products that have been tested and are safe.

Full Adult Use Legalization with Medical System.  This would allow all adults to purchase cannabis products, but would allow for lower taxes on Medical Patient purchases.

I’m the most in favor of the last option, as it gives freedom of choice to the people (US), and helps those who really need it.  The good news is the council is also leaning that way so far.  I was really happy to hear the member from the budget office considered cannabis taxes just a way to pay for the system, not a revenue stream.

We have to be very careful that we don’t make it legal, and then keep the black market thriving by taxing producers so much that the prices are crazy high for the consumer (see California, Illinois, Michigan).  In Michigan they are literally asking for the black market to thrive by passing a 24% cannabis wholesale tax.  What other market has to deal with that insanity???  Why would cannabis, a product like anything else, be taxed so much higher?  Standard Business to Business tax is 0%.

I will keep following along and passing on what I learn.  Once the Council decides what to recommend, then it’s a politics game to see what will actually make it to the floor, but I’m hopeful that the tide is turning, and we are seeing that jailing people and ruining lives over a plant is a misguided idea that’s time is over.

​NC residents, what would you like to see?

Please stay safe and have a good week-

Sam