North Carolina has entered the cannabis conversation with a proposal that seeks to legalize marijuana for adult use, sidestepping the incremental step of medical legalization. House Bill 413, formally titled the “Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act,” was introduced by Representative Jordan Lopez in March 2025. If passed, the bill could redefine North Carolina’s approach to cannabis by establishing a regulated market and addressing critical social and economic disparities rooted in prohibition.
Key Features of House Bill 413
Legal Possession and Cultivation Limits
The proposed bill would legalize the possession of up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower, 15 grams of concentrate, or 2,000 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Adults over the age of 21 would also be allowed to cultivate up to six cannabis plants at home, with provisions to ensure the plants are not publicly visible or accessible by minors.
Social Equity at the Forefront
The legislation places significant emphasis on social equity, aiming to support individuals and communities disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition. “Historically impacted applicants” will be granted a six-month head start in applying for cannabis business licenses. These applicants include people or communities who have faced systemic racism, poverty, or mass incarceration tied to cannabis-related offenses.
Economic Framework and Taxation
Under the bill, a 30% state excise tax—the second highest in the nation—would be levied on all cannabis sales, with an additional optional 2% local tax for municipalities. The revenue generated would fund programs aimed at reinvestment in marginalized communities, substance abuse education, law enforcement training, and various equity initiatives.
Record Expungement and Criminal Justice Reform
One of the standout aspects of this bill is the automatic expungement of past cannabis-related offenses. Under the new framework, convictions for charges that are no longer considered illegal will automatically be removed from criminal records by July 2028. This provision aims to reduce the long-term societal impacts of punitive cannabis laws, particularly on African Americans, who have historically faced disproportionately higher arrest rates despite comparable usage patterns with white individuals.
New Regulatory Systems
The Department of Public Safety will establish a new regulatory framework and create an Office of Community Reinvestment. This office will oversee three critical funds—Community Reinvestment and Repair, Cannabis Enterprise Opportunity, and Cannabis Education and Technical Assistance—to allocate resources for community development, zero-interest business loans for equity applicants, and workforce training programs.
Public Health and Consumer Protections
To address safety concerns, the proposal includes regulations for lab testing, clear potency labeling, child-resistant packaging, and education campaigns on responsible use. Smoking in public places or operating vehicles under the influence would remain illegal, aligning cannabis laws with those governing alcohol use.
The Case for Cannabis Legalization in North Carolina
Decades of prohibition in North Carolina have disproportionately harmed communities of color, diverted police resources from violent and property crimes, and starved the state of potential economic gains. Legalization could reverse these damages, providing a valuable source of tax revenue and creating thousands of jobs in cultivation, manufacturing, logistics, and retail.
A 2020 American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) report cited in the bill how the racial disparities in cannabis-related arrests, revealing that Black residents in North Carolina are 3.6 times more likely than white residents to face charges, despite similar rates of usage. Legalization aims to rectify these inequalities and use tax revenue to improve community services, including housing, reentry programs, and scholarship support.
While the bill reflects progress, it likely faces significant hurdles in North Carolina’s Republican-controlled General Assembly. Historically, the legislature has rejected both medical and recreational marijuana reforms, with GOP leaders citing concerns over public safety and federal legality. Despite growing bipartisan support nationwide, North Carolina remains one of eight states yet to legalize medical cannabis.
State House Speaker Destin Hall previously expressed firm opposition to both medical and recreational legalization efforts, making the passage of HB 413 uncertain. However, public support for reform is gaining momentum. A February 2025 survey conducted by Meredith College found that 71% of North Carolinians favor legalizing medical marijuana, although opinions on recreational use remain divided.
Path Forward For Cannabis in North Carolina
For cannabis advocates, HB 413 represents a bold leap forward, skipping the traditionally incremental medical cannabis framework to propose comprehensive adult-use legalization. Public opinion and lessons from other states, where legalization has brought social and economic benefits, drive the push for immediate action.
Yet, the challenges are undeniably steep. To move forward, lawmakers and advocates will need to engage in dialogue and education efforts, which highlight the economic potential for a state tax base bolstered by cannabis-related revenue and the moral imperative to rectify decades of systemic injustice.
House Bill 413 is more than just a cannabis legalization proposal—it is a statement about equity, economic empowerment, and opportunity. If passed, it would represent a historic shift in North Carolina’s stance on drug policy, bringing the state in line with growing national and global trends.
It remains unclear whether the bill will gain enough support in a polarized political climate. But one thing is clear—North Carolina’s inclusion in the cannabis conversation is long overdue. Lawmakers now have the opportunity to align public policy with public opinion and chart a path toward a more equitable and prosperous future.
