The North Carolina Senate voted 36-10 Monday night to pass a sweeping bill that would allow medical marijuana use while strictly regulating cannabis-derived consumables.
Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Cumberland, Moore) said he has no doubt the bill's sponsors have good intentions in filing House Bill 563, but the bill is adamantly opposed by local sheriffs. He said he could not support it.
Senator Tom McInnis (Photo: NCGA)
“I took a closer look at the bill and looked at the last thing it says about treatable problems and other serious medical conditions or treatments that were added by the Compassionate Use Advisory Committee.” said MacInnis. “Folks, as written in this bill, you can be treated for any condition you have. Paralysis, gonorrhea, heartbreak, whatever that group says.”
McInnis argued that HB 563 is a precursor to the legalization of recreational marijuana.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Bill LaBon (R-Brunswick), followed up with an amendment that would require marijuana to be rescheduled or removed as a controlled substance under federal law, unless approved by the North Carolina General Assembly. He said recreational use cannot be legalized at the state level. .
Although some Senate Democrats were concerned about the carve-out provision, the amendment passed 26-20.
Still, Sen. Norm Sanderson (R-Carteret) urged his colleagues not to go down this slippery slope.
“At this point, North Carolina has ways to stop what I think is a mistake,” Sanderson warned. “Wait until this becomes law. If it becomes law, the black market will really explode because people will not be satisfied with the current levels of THC in this medical cannabis. They will want something stronger because it leads to something stronger.”
Senator Gladys Robinson (Photo: NCGA)
But Sen. Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford) said after consulting with medical experts, she believes the state should move forward with regulating medical marijuana and cannabis.
“I spoke with physicians at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill Medical Center who have provided research and care for sickle cell patients, and their advice to me was that medical marijuana could help sickle cell patients. They felt it helped them manage their pain, and that pain was interfering with their lives.”
Sen. Ralph Hice (R-Mitchell) reminded his colleagues of their failure to act when hemp-derived products first hit the market.
Senator Ralph Heise (Photo: NCGA)
“We missed the concept of one gummy bear being considered 12 doses. But we never expected that to happen. As we move forward with this bill, I want you to keep your eye on the ball: North Carolina regulates products that contain THC, whether it's marijuana or other derived synthetic substances. Please check.”
Hise added that she is also a caregiver for two family members who died of cancer.
“I've seen what high doses of OxyContin can do to them, and I don't think marijuana is more harmful.”
Seventeen Republicans, including Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, joined all Democrats in the chamber in voting in favor of the bill. All 10 people who opposed the bill were Republicans.
House Bill 563 is currently before the North Carolina House of Representatives. It's unclear whether House Speaker Tim Moore will bring the bill to a vote. He previously said there was not enough support in the Republican caucus to pass a medical marijuana bill.
