A version of the following article appeared in the June 5, 2026, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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As the cannabis debate stalls in the General Assembly, some N.C. lawmakers want voters to decide
North Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill that would put questions about marijuana decriminalization and medical marijuana legalization before voters. The State Capitol is pictured in Raleigh. (Photo illustration by Lindsey Banks)
by Daniel Larlham Jr.
Despite widespread concerns about the accessibility of intoxicating hemp products and a robust illicit market in the state, cannabis legislation is one issue (among several) that the General Assembly seemingly can’t find consensus on.
With a looming federal ban on intoxicating hemp and the recent release of an interim report from the North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis, a group of state senators hopes to put some of those decisions into the hands of the voters this November.
Senate Bill 1072 looks to put two constitutional amendments on November’s ballot: one that would decriminalize the possession of limited amounts of marijuana in the state and another that would legalize medical marijuana.
Passage of the bill could be significant, as North Carolina has never had ballot measures on cannabis before. In recent years, cannabis legalization has been attempted through ballot measures in several states, with mixed results.
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