North Carolina Bill Aims to Legalize Medical Marijuana for Research Study Participants
A new bill has been introduced in the North Carolina House of Representatives that would legalize medical marijuana for patients enrolled in a registered research study. The Cannabis Treatment Research Act, HB 984, would allow patients and caregivers to register with the state and possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Julia Greenfield (D) and five other Democratic lawmakers, would create a Cannabis Treatment Research Database under the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). To qualify for the program, patients would need to be enrolled in a study conducted by a hospital, university, lab, pharmaceutical manufacturer, or private medical research company that is registered with DHHS and has entered a study into the state research database.
The legislation does not specify any age limit for patients, but registered caregivers would need to be at least 18 years old. It also does not list any specific medical conditions that would qualify patients for the program, but instead requires patients to obtain a signed statement from a physician indicating that they have a medical condition and that the potential health benefits of medical marijuana would likely outweigh the health risks.
The bill would also shield research institutions and their employees from liability and would keep the identities of patients, caregivers, and research institutions private. However, it would allow records to be provided to law enforcement in certain circumstances.
The bill has been met with mixed reactions from advocates and lawmakers. Kevin Caldwell, the Southeast legislative manager for the Marijuana Policy Project, has expressed concerns that the bill is a “half-measure” and that it would only allow patients to participate in research studies, rather than providing access to medical marijuana for those who need it.
On the other hand, some lawmakers have expressed support for the bill, including Senate President Phil Berger (R), who has said that he is open to considering medical marijuana reform this session. The bill is currently being considered in the House of Representatives, and it is unclear whether it will pass or what changes may be made to it.
The introduction of this bill comes as public support for medical marijuana legalization continues to grow in North Carolina. A recent poll found that 71% of likely voters in the state support legalizing medical marijuana, with majorities across party lines and in every surveyed demographic supporting the measure.
