Charlotte Representative Files Bill That Would Legalize Recreational Cannabis in North Carolina
If this bill passes, North Carolina would be the next state to give the greenlight to recreational cannabis.
Per WCNC
On Monday, Rep. Jordan Lopez, a Democrat representing parts of Mecklenburg County, filed House Bill 413, officially titled the “Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act.”
However, there are some proposed restrictions. It would require marijuana to be grown out of public view. It would also be illegal to smoke in public or use the substance while driving or operating a boat. Landlords would also have the right to prohibit marijuana smoking on their properties.
“I think that it immediately impacts our district, and so far, I have received nothing but support from folks that I represent,” Lopez told WCNC Charlotte.
The bill also outlines a 30% excise tax on marijuana sales, much of which would go towards people and communities who have been disproportionately discriminated against for cannabis use. Of the collected taxes, 25% would go towards the proposed “Reinvestment and Repair Fund.” This would distribute funds to nonprofits and groups helping people impacted by poverty, unemployment, mass incarceration or systemic racism.
The bill would also erase past cannabis-related convictions and prohibit discrimination in employment and housing based on prior cannabis offenses.
“The war on drugs disproportionately affected black and brown communities. We know this. It is well documented,” Lopez said. “Ensuring that when they get out, they can get back on their feet. As we already know, reentry into society after serving for an offense is difficult and oftentimes leads to recidivism and we want to stop that pattern and provide opportunities for folks to really build better lives.”
Municipalities would be given the option to add an additional 2% local tax. However, medical cannabis would be exempt from these taxes.
This is not the first time state legislators have filed a bill to legalize marijuana, medicinal or recreational. While he’s glad they’re having the conversation, Lopez is still not confident this will go through.
“There has been a bill filed by Republican senators several times now to legalize medicinal marijuana, or medical marijuana. I’m taking a more recreational approach, but even the medical approach has stalled several times here in the legislature,” Lopez said. ‘It would get a lot of attention, and folks would be very vocal about their support or opposition for it, but unfortunately, I’m not super confident that we’ll even have the opportunity to have that.”
