Connect with us

Government

Is North Carolina Poised to Be the Next State to Legalize Medical Cannabis?

Published

on

For those who do not know this is 2022, the year of cannabis. The world of cannabis has never seen a better time in terms of legalization as open markets are being set up in different regions. North Carolina looks set to be the next in the line of states in the United States approving medical marijuana. The Senate of the state just gave the first approval to legalize medical marijuana in the state. This is good news for residents of the state and cannabis enthusiasts everywhere.

Read on as we take a closer look at the cannabis industry scene in the region, what we should expect from the bill and what it can accomplish in the state.

The journey of the bill in the house so far

As stated earlier, the North Carolina Senate has just given first-stage approval for a bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state. This came just a day after the bill cleared a major committee of the Senate chaired by Sen. Bill Rabon (R) who also doubles as the sponsor of the bill. On getting to the chamber, the bill got immense support on the second reading as 35 voted in favor against 10 who opposed.

The sponsor of the bill said on the floor of the Senate before the vote that this bill will aid many people at the end of their life which is a time when they need compassion. He believes medical cannabis can help people in the few days or whatever time they have left to be as comfortable as they can be. These views were very personal to the senator who is also a survivor of cancer and can relate to medical patients needing comfort.

The bill is called the NC Compassionate Care Act and it has already cleared three different panels in 2021. Senator Rabon believes it is the duty of lawmakers to rubberstamp the bill and ensure it helps those in need. The bill only needs another vote of validation next week which will see it be sent formally to the House of Representatives for proper consideration.  

What will the bill accomplish?

When such bills surface, what the people want to know is what the bill will accomplish when passed. Well, the NC Compassionate Care Act much like other medical marijuana bills in other states will help many patients with debilitating health conditions. It also addresses the number of cannabis patients will be allowed to purchase as well as other issues such as cultivation and cannabis-infused product.

Here is the major targets points of the NC Compassionate Care Act as amended:

  • Access to cannabis will be granted to patients who have debilitating health conditions which include epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • Patients with terminal illnesses and less than 6 months to live and those requiring hospice care are also added to the list as amended by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
  • Home cultivation of cannabis is completely prohibited but patients are allowed to have up to one and a half-ounce of cannabis.
  • The bill also saw the definition of “cannabis-infused” product change to the more recent version. This version sees the cannabis-infused product as a tablet, capsule, concentrated oil, suspension, preparation, resin or wax”.
  • Vaping and smoking cannabis are allowed. Doctors are however required to prescribe a specific mode of use and dose for patients under the amended legislation.
  • Eligibility of patients will be assessed and evaluated for the program minimum of once a year.
  • A Compassionate Use Advisory Board will be set up to add new medical conditions to qualify patients.
  • A Medical Cannabis Production Commission will also be created to ensure an adequate supply of cannabis for patients. The committee will also be saddled with the responsibility of generating revenue to oversee the program and issue licenses.
  • A North Carolina Cannabis Research Program will be established to undertake objective, scientific research on the administration of cannabis and cannabis-infused products.
  • The amended bill also offers further protection for patients as agents of the state are required to handle cannabis as a prescribed controlled substance for qualified patients.
  • Limitations of the bill include where marijuana can be smoked, the operating hours of medical cannabis businesses, the location of the businesses, and the number of certifications a physician can give per time.

These are only some of the present revisions of the bill and many advocates are still hoping and pushing for expansion of the program towards ensuring social equity.

Senator Rabon was the first to offer an amendment to the bill on the floor of the Senate before voting on Thursday. A significant change offered was to allow 10 licensed marijuana suppliers to operate up to 8 dispensaries. This is an upgrade to the maximum of four dispensaries that was on the cards in other versions of the bill. The changes offered also clarified other issues around fees, reporting requirements, conflicting interests for physicians, and other technical corrections.

Beyond the NC Compassionate Care Act

While many are still waiting for the medical ship for the marijuana bill to come to life, others are already looking beyond. A poll done by the Carolina Partnership for Reform shows that 82 percent of voters in North Carolina want the legalization of medical marijuana in the state. This composition also includes 86 percent of Democrats and 75 percent of Republicans. Surprisingly, 60 percent of the voters also back the legalization of recreational use of cannabis in the state.

These present figures are an improvement from the results of the same question when asked earlier in the year. Presently, three in four persons in the state believe patients should have access to medical marijuana as needed. This creates an ideal situation to see proper incorporation of medical marijuana in the state. For now, all that can be done is to wait to see the outcome of the final vote on the bill in the Senate after which other needed acts will follow. 

Source: https://cannabis.net/blog/news/is-north-carolina-poised-to-be-the-next-state-to-legalize-medical-cannabis

Corruption

Vigilance Arrests Officials After Bribery Complaints at Supply Office

Published

on

By

HARIDWAR, Uttarakhand — Officials from the Dehradun-based Vigilance Department have arrested Haridwar District Supply Officer Shyam Arya and two other employees on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹50,000, authorities confirmed. The arrests took place during a planned operation after investigators laid a trap at the District Supply Office in response to repeated complaints from the public.

According to vigilance sources, the accused were caught “red-handed” while receiving the alleged bribe, reportedly demanded in exchange for official services within the department. The operation, coordinated from the state capital of Dehradun, underscores the department’s commitment to tackling corruption.

Complaints That Triggered the Operation
The arrests followed months of complaints alleging that officials at the Haridwar District Supply Office were routinely soliciting illegal payments for government services. These included the issuance of ration cards, approvals for licenses, and other administrative clearances under the public distribution system.

Vigilance officials said preliminary verification of the complaints indicated a recurring pattern rather than isolated incidents. Following this assessment, the department used a standard anti-corruption tactic of laying a trap to obtain direct evidence of bribe solicitation and acceptance.

Inside the Supply Office
After the arrests, vigilance teams established a presence inside the office, sealing parts of the premises while examining files and records. Investigators are reviewing documentation related to recent approvals and transactions to determine whether the alleged bribery was systemic.

The accused are also being questioned to identify potential accomplices and to ascertain whether accepting bribes was a routine practice. Officials noted that the investigation could expand depending on findings from the document review and interrogations.

A Broader Anti-Corruption Push
The case has drawn attention across Uttarakhand’s administrative machinery, particularly within the Supply Department, which plays a vital role in delivering welfare services. Vigilance officials said the arrests reflect a “zero-tolerance” approach toward corruption and warned that similar operations will continue wherever credible complaints arise.

The state’s anti-corruption drives have intensified in recent months, emphasizing both deterrence and accountability. While the investigation in Haridwar remains in its early stages, officials say it highlights the risks faced by public servants accused of exploiting their positions and the growing willingness of enforcement agencies to act on citizen complaints.

Continue Reading

Business

A Tipping Point for Cannabis: President Trump Champions CBD & Cannabis Science on Truth Social

Published

on

By

When the President of the United States shares a video about the life changing potential of hemp derived CBD on his personal social media platform, it is more than news, it is a cultural shift.

For decades our government lied to us about cannabis. It demonized the plant, waged war on its users, and filled prisons while allowing pharmaceutical companies to flood the nation with addictive and deadly drugs. For over a century we have been fighting uphill, not just for legalization, but for truth, for science, and for the right to heal ourselves naturally.

Now in 2025, the most powerful political figure on Earth is using his own voice and platform to talk about the endocannabinoid system and the science backed benefits of CBD. That is monumental. It is validation for everyone who has fought, been arrested, been silenced, and been dismissed for telling this truth. The President’s video post is already being described as a pivotal moment in cannabis history, and President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social is trending across platforms as advocates celebrate the breakthrough.


The Science Behind the Endocannabinoid System

The video begins by introducing something most people, including many doctors, still know little about, the endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, the ECS is a network of receptors and signaling molecules that works as the body’s master regulator, coordinating communication between major systems like the nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.

The roots of this discovery go back much further. CBD was first isolated in 1940 by American chemist Roger Adams, but it was Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli organic chemist, who fully elucidated the chemical structure of CBD and identified its stereochemistry in the 1960s. His pioneering work not only opened the door to modern cannabinoid science but also earned him the title “Godfather of Cannabis Research.” It was this foundation that led to the identification of the endocannabinoid system itself decades later, revealing how cannabinoids interact with our physiology on a fundamental level.

The ECS is now widely recognized as a vital part of human biology, with extensive research supported by the National Institutes of Health. When functioning properly, the ECS acts like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring every section plays in harmony. As we age, the system weakens. That imbalance is linked to inflammation, chronic pain, cognitive decline, sleep problems, and many other conditions associated with aging.

Mainstream medicine often addresses these issues with pharmaceutical band aids, dangerous and addictive drugs that treat symptoms rather than root causes. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise help, but they only partially support the ECS and do so slowly over time.


Hemp Derived CBD: A Game Changer for Aging

Here is where the science gets exciting. As the video explains, the ECS can be restored much more quickly with hemp derived CBD. Strengthening this system naturally helps the body regain balance, reducing pain, improving sleep, lowering stress, slowing disease progression, and even extending healthy lifespan.

It is not theoretical. One in five seniors is already using CBD to manage pain, arthritis, cancer symptoms, sleep disorders, Alzheimer’s, and more. Despite decades of research and acknowledgment from institutions like the National Institutes of Health, most physicians receive no training on the ECS. There are still no FDA standards for CBD products on the market. If that were the case for any other class of medicine, it would be considered malpractice.

The World Health Organization has confirmed CBD’s excellent safety profile and non addictive nature in its critical review report. The result is that millions of older Americans are suffering unnecessarily when a safe and natural solution exists.

Hemp derived CBD is a powerful first step in restoring balance to the endocannabinoid system, but it is only part of the picture. Research shows that full spectrum cannabis extracts, which include a broader range of cannabinoids and terpenes, can work even more effectively. Complete concentrated cannabis oil, containing the full spectrum of natural endocannabinoids, may deliver the most profound results for certain patients. Expanding access to these therapies will be essential if we want to unlock the full healing potential of this plant.


The Economic and Social Impact

The video cites a powerful figure. A PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis estimates that fully integrating cannabis into the healthcare system could save the United States nearly 64 billion dollars annually. These savings reflect reduced pharmaceutical dependency, fewer hospitalizations, improved chronic disease outcomes, and enhanced quality of life for aging Americans. You can read more about PwC’s research on healthcare innovation here.

It is a financial argument, but it is also a moral one. Why should our elders endure pain, anxiety, and cognitive decline when nature has given us tools to help them live longer, happier, and healthier lives?


A Call to Action: Finish What the Farm Bill Started

The message concludes by crediting the 2018 Farm Bill, championed by President Trump, for legalizing hemp and laying the groundwork for today’s CBD market. The Farm Bill was just the first step.

Now the call is for bold next moves.

  • Educate doctors about the endocannabinoid system
  • Include CBD under Medicare coverage
  • Provide clear federal standards for CBD quality and dosing

These steps would constitute the most significant senior health reform in modern history, one that would transform aging and cement a powerful legacy for any administration that makes it happen.


What This Means for Future Cannabis Medicine

For those of us who have been in the cannabis community for decades, this is not just another news story. It is a signal that our movement is winning. A conversation that was once criminalized and censored is now being amplified by the President of the United States on his own platform.

It means the science is undeniable. It means the truth can no longer be buried. It means the wall of prohibition is cracking, not just legally, but culturally, scientifically, and politically.

It also means that everything we have been fighting for at 420 Magazine since 1993, education, access, healing, and justice, is finally moving full steam ahead. The President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social moment is proof that science and policy are finally converging.

Continue Reading

Business

New Mexico cannabis operator fined, loses license for alleged BioTrack fraud

Published

on

New Mexico regulators fined a cannabis operator nearly $300,000 and revoked its license after the company allegedly created fake reports in the state’s traceability software.

The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) accused marijuana manufacturer and retailer Golden Roots of 11 violations, according to Albuquerque Business First.

Golden Roots operates the The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary.

The majority of the violations are related to the Albuquerque company’s improper use of BioTrack, which has been New Mexico’s track-and-trace vendor since 2015.

The CCD alleges Golden Roots reported marijuana production only two months after it had received its vertically integrated license, according to Albuquerque Business First.

Because cannabis takes longer than two months to be cultivated, the CCD was suspicious of the report.

After inspecting the company’s premises, the CCD alleged Golden Roots reported cultivation, transportation and sales in BioTrack but wasn’t able to provide officers who inspected the site evidence that the operator was cultivating cannabis.

In April, the CCD revoked Golden Roots’ license and issued a $10,000 fine, according to the news outlet.

The company requested a hearing, which the regulator scheduled for Sept. 1.

At the hearing, the CCD testified that the company’s dried-cannabis weights in BioTrack were suspicious because they didn’t seem to accurately reflect how much weight marijuana loses as it dries.

Company employees also poorly accounted for why they were making adjustments in the system of up to 24 pounds of cannabis, making comments such as “bad” or “mistake” in the software, Albuquerque Business First reported.

Golden Roots was fined $298,972.05 – the amount regulators allege the company made selling products that weren’t properly accounted for in BioTrack.

The CCD has been cracking down on cannabis operators accused of selling products procured from out-of-state or not grown legally:

Golden Roots was the first alleged rulebreaker in New Mexico to be asked to pay a large fine.

Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-mexico-cannabis-operator-fined-loses-license-for-alleged-biotrack-fraud/

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2022 420 Reports Marijuana News & Information Website | Reefer News | Cannabis News