NC cannabis council pushes legalization, signaling potential shake-up for dispensaries

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A state advisory group is laying the groundwork for what could be a major shift in North Carolina’s cannabis laws, recommending lawmakers legalize marijuana for adult use and create a regulated market.

The North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis says the move would bring structure to a rapidly growing industry that already exists in a legal gray area across the state.

For years, storefronts across North Carolina have sold hemp-derived products — including delta-8 and delta-9 THC — under existing hemp laws, often with limited oversight.

Mike Simms, owner of Crowntown Cannabis, said the time has come for the state to act.

“It’s time for North Carolina to really address the issue that we have here,” Simms said.

The advisory council’s recommendation calls for a fully regulated system, which could include licensing requirements, product testing, age restrictions and new taxes on cannabis sales.

Todd Joffe, co-owner of FLYT, said regulation could help legitimize the industry while preventing illegal markets from thriving.

“I’ve seen the growth. I’ve seen the stores pop up,” Joffe said. “I would think that it would just make sense to regulate the entire industry, or you’re just giving a green light to the black market to go ahead and take over the industry where the tax dollars should come to the city.”

Many dispensaries currently operate under hemp regulations, allowing them to sell certain THC products without the same level of scrutiny as traditional marijuana markets in other states.

If lawmakers adopt the council’s recommendations, those businesses could face new hurdles — but also new opportunities.

Simms said clearer rules could benefit operators who have long asked for guidance.

“We’ve begged for regulation and guidance around this industry, and to this day, we’re still facing challenges of doing so,” he said.

The council also noted that billions of dollars are already being spent on cannabis in North Carolina, much of it in unregulated or illegal markets. The goal, members say, is to bring that activity into a legal framework that can be monitored and taxed.

Still, significant obstacles remain. Any changes would require approval from state lawmakers, who have historically resisted cannabis legislation, including efforts to legalize medical marijuana.

Cannabis attorney Natacha Andrews, president of the National Association of Black Cannabis Lawyers, said public education will be key as the conversation evolves.

“April happens to be Cannabis Awareness Month, Marijuana Awareness Month,” Andrews said. “You might see a lot of education … but look for those resources that sort of let you know what the conversation about is.”

The advisory council’s recommendation does not change current law, but it signals a shift in how state leaders are approaching cannabis policy.

A final report from the council is expected later this year and could outline a more detailed roadmap for what a legal cannabis market in North Carolina would look like.

Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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