Senate committee lays the foundation to approve medical marijuana

Title: Senate committee lays the foundation to approve medical marijuana

As more states reconsider their stance on medical or recreational marijuana, the debates often hover around the relief that the drug may provide to sick individuals. Some senators believe it is a compassionate thing to do to provide cannabis access to those suffering.

According to Marijuana Moment, the North Carolina Senate recently met in a committee to review and amend a bill to legalize medical marijuana.

Details and amendments

Speaking from experience, Rules Committee Chairman Bill Rabon (R) sponsored the legislation. He referenced his pain and remarked how uncompassionate it is to have someone suffering when there is something that might ameliorate it.

The bill would allow patients with “debilitating medical conditions” to apply for medical cannabis cards that permit the purchase, possession and use of cannabis.

These medical conditions include:

• Epilepsy
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Cancer
• HIV/AIDS

A substitute amendment to the bill seeks to form a 13-member Medical Cannabis Advisory Board to review and approve petitions to add new medical conditions that qualify for medical cannabis. It would also give this board the power to add those medical conditions once approved.

It is unknown if or when the bill will see ratification.

Current marijuana laws

Possession of cannabis in any capacity, regardless of medical need, is unlawful according to present North Carolina statutes. Those charged with possession may see misdemeanor penalties of up to $1000 and 45 days in jail when in possession of up to 1.5 ounces.

Possession over this amount sees felony charges with jail time between three and eight months.

Drug charges may seriously impact a person’s future and it is important for anyone to be aware of the current marijuana possession laws even if they may change in the future.