North Carolina 2021-2022 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 9 D · 2 I cosponsors

HB 929 — North Carolina Medical Cannabis Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2021-2022 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

282 added · 280 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of HB 929, the definition of "adequate supply" for patients using cannabis has been clarified to specify that it refers to no more than 24 ounces of cannabis when inhalation or smoking is recommended by a physician. Additionally, the amendments removed language that described the healthcare provider's role in conducting follow-up examinations to assess the effectiveness of medical cannabis. These changes matter because they streamline the definition of what patients can receive while still maintaining the core relationship of care between healthcare providers and patients, potentially making the law more straightforward to understand and implement.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2021 H 1 HOUSE BILL 929 Short Title:
929 May 11, 2021 SESSION 2021 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH40568-MGxfa-134 Short Title:
Representative Alexander.
Representatives Alexander, Harrison, Cunningham, and Carney (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT LEGALIZING THE MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS;
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House May 12, 2021 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT LEGALIZING THE MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS;
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTUREANDCONSUMER SERVICES TO ADOPT RULES ESTABLISHING A LICENSING PROCESS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS AND THE MANUFACTURING OF MEDICAL CANNABIS PRODUCTS;
DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENTOFAGRICULTUREANDCONSUMER SERVICES TOADOPT RULES ESTABLISHING A LICENSING PROCESS FOR THE CULTIVATION OF MEDICAL CANNABIS AND THE MANUFACTURING OF MEDICAL CANNABIS PRODUCTS;
An amount of usable cannabis derived solely from an intrastate source that is possessed by a qualified patient, or collectively possessed by a qualified patient and the qualified patient's designated caregiver, in an amount that does not exceed what is reasonably necessary to assure the uninterrupted availability of cannabis for a period of three months, in any form recommended by the qualified patient's physician for the purposeofalleviating thesymptomsoreffectsofthequalifiedpatient's debilitating medical condition.
An amount of usable cannabis derived solelyfrom an intrastate source that is possessed by a qualified patient, or collectively possessed by a qualified patient and the qualified patient's designated caregiver, in an amount that does not exceed what is reasonably necessary to assure the uninterrupted availabilityof cannabis for a period of three months, in any form recommended by the qualified patient's physician for the purposeofalleviatingthesymptomsoreffectsofthequalifiedpatient's debilitating medical condition.
b.
*H929-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 b.
For a qualified patient for whom a delivery method of inhalation of cannabis vapor or smoking is recommended by the qualified patient's *DRH40568-MGxfa-134* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 physician, "adequate supply" means not more than 24 ounces of cannabis in a form usable for that purpose.
For a qualified patient for whom a delivery method of inhalation of cannabis vapor or smoking is recommended by the qualified patient's physician, "adequate supply" means not more than 24 ounces of cannabis in a form usable for that purpose.
(2) "Bona fide health care provider-patient relationship" means a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and a patient have a treatment or counseling relationship in which the physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner has completed a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition, including anappropriatephysical examination, and the physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner is available or offers to provide follow-up care and treatment to the patient, including patient examinations, to determine the efficacy of the use of medical cannabis as a treatment for the patient's medical condition.
(2) "Bona fide health care provider-patient relationship" means a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and a patient have a treatment or counseling relationship in which the physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner has completed a full assessment of the patient's medical history and current medical condition, includingan appropriatephysical examination, and the physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner is available or offers to provide follow-up care and treatment to the patient, including patient examinations, to determine the efficacy of the use of medical cannabis as a treatment for the patient's medical condition.
(a) A qualified patient shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner,ordeniedany right orprivilege,including,but not limitedto, civilpenalty ordisciplinary action by a business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the possession or purchase of cannabis for medical use by the qualified patient if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) A qualified patient shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner,ordeniedanyright orprivilege,including,but not limitedto, civilpenaltyordisciplinary action bya business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the possession or purchase of cannabis for medical use by the qualified patient if all of the following conditions are met:
(c) For the purposes of medical care, including organ transplants, a qualified patient's authorized use of cannabis in accordance with this Article shall be treated in the same manner as the authorized use of any other medication used at the direction of a physician and shall not constitute the use of an illegal substance.
(c) For the purposes of medical care, including organ transplants, a qualified patient's authorized use of cannabis in accordance with this Article shall be treated in the same manner as Page 2 House Bill 929-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 the authorized use of any other medication used at the direction of a physician and shall not constitute the use of an illegal substance.
Page 2 DRH40568-MGxfa-134 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (d) A health care provider shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, or subject to increased monitoring or disciplinary action by the North Carolina Medical Board or any other business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau for either of the following:
(d) A health care provider shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied anyright or privilege, or subject to increased monitoring or disciplinaryaction by the North Carolina Medical Board or any other business or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau for either of the following:
(1) Application and annual renewal fees sufficient to completely cover all of the Department's costs for oversight and management of the cultivation of medical cannabis and the production ofproducts containing medical cannabis, as well as the grant program established by G.S.
(1) Application and annual renewal fees sufficient to completely cover all of the Department's costs for oversight and management of the cultivation of medical cannabis and the production ofproducts containingmedical cannabis, as well as the grant program established by G.S.
(b) The Department shall complete all rule adoption and submit a report to the General Assembly no later than January 31, 2023, regarding the licensing system required by this section.
(b) The Department shall complete all rule adoption and submit a report to the General Assemblyno later than January31, 2023, regardingthe licensing system required bythis section.
The rules required under this subsection shall include rules for the establishment and collection of fees for all licenses required under this section, including fees associated with applications for such licenses.
The rules required under this subsection shall include rules for the establishment and collection of fees for all licenses required under this section, includingfees associated with applications for such licenses.
(c) In addition to independent dispensaries licensed under subsection (b) of this section, and upon the payment of any fees required under subsection (b) of this section, a local board may establish and operate one medical cannabis dispensary for each ABC store operated by the local board.
(c) In addition to independent dispensaries licensed under subsection (b) of this section, and upon the payment of anyfees required under subsection (b) of this section, a local board may establish and operate one medical cannabis dispensary for each ABC store operated by the local board.
A local board may enter into a joint venture with an eligible social equity recipient, as defined in G.S.
A local board may enter into a joint venture with an eligible social equity recipient, as House Bill 929-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 defined in G.S.
Each medical cannabis dispensary established and operated under this subsection shall be located DRH40568-MGxfa-134 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 no less than 1,000 feet away from an ABC store, an independent dispensary licensed under subsection (b) of this section, an elementary or secondary school, or a religious institution.
Each medical cannabis dispensaryestablished and operated under this subsection shall be located no less than 1,000 feet away from an ABC store, an independent dispensary licensed under subsection (b) of this section, an elementary or secondary school, or a religious institution.
(d) The court shall also order that the conviction ordered expunged under this section be expunged from the records of the court and direct all law enforcement agencies bearing record Page 4 DRH40568-MGxfa-134 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 of the same to expunge their records of the conviction.
Page 4 House Bill 929-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (d) The court shall also order that the conviction ordered expunged under this section be expunged from the records of the court and direct all law enforcement agencies bearing record of the same to expunge their records of the conviction.
(e) Any other applicable State or local government agency shall expunge from its records entries made as a result of the conviction ordered expunged under this section.
(e) Anyother applicable State or local government agencyshall expunge from its records entries made as a result of the conviction ordered expunged under this section.
(f) Except as otherwiseprovidedbylaw,it is unlawfulforanypersonhaving or acquiring access to a record expunged under this section to disclose to another person any expunged information from it without an order from the court that ordered the record expunged.
(f) Except as otherwiseprovidedbylaw,it is unlawfulforanypersonhavingor acquiring access to a record expunged under this section to disclose to another person any expunged information from it without an order from the court that ordered the record expunged.
(e) Any other applicable State or local government agency shall expunge from its records entries made as a result of the conviction ordered expunged under this section.
(e) Anyother applicable State or local government agencyshall expunge from its records entries made as a result of the conviction ordered expunged under this section.
Fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the General Fund.
Fees House Bill 929-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the General Fund.
DRH40568-MGxfa-134 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (g) Except as otherwiseprovidedbylaw,it is unlawfulforany personhaving or acquiring access to a record expunged under this section to disclose to another person any expunged information from it without an order from the court that ordered the record expunged.
(g) Except as otherwiseprovidedbylaw,it is unlawfulforanypersonhavingor acquiring access to a record expunged under this section to disclose to another person any expunged information from it without an order from the court that ordered the record expunged.
– It is unlawful for any person to use or consume medical cannabis while driving amotorvehicleon ahighwayortheright-of-wayofahighway orwhilebeing apassenger in a motor vehicle being driven on a highway or the right-of-way of a highway.
– It is unlawful for any person to use or consume medical cannabis while drivingamotorvehicleon ahighwayortheright-of-wayofahighwayorwhilebeing apassenger in a motor vehicle being driven on a highway or the right-of-way of a highway.
– Inaprosecution underthis section,thetrieroffact mayinferthat aperson has consumed medical cannabis in violation of subsection (a) of this section if (i) an open container is located within the passenger area of the motor vehicle, (ii) the medical cannabis in the open container has been at least partially removed, and (iii) the appearance, conduct, speech, or other physical characteristic of the person, excluding odor, is consistent with the consumption of medical cannabis.
– In aprosecution underthis section,thetrieroffact mayinferthat aperson has consumed medical cannabis in violation of subsection (a) of this section if (i) an open container is located within the passenger area of the motor vehicle, (ii) the medical cannabis in the open container has been at least partially removed, and (iii) the appearance, conduct, speech, or other physical characteristic of the person, excluding odor, is consistent with the consumption of medical cannabis.
Page 6 DRH40568-MGxfa-134 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (a) Offense.
Page 6 House Bill 929-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (a) Offense.
the resin extracted from any part of this plant;
the resin extracted from anypart of this plant;
and every compound, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of this plant, its seeds, or its resin.
and everycompound, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of this plant, its seeds, or its resin.
– A controlled substance, an illicit mixed beverage, illicit spirituous liquor, or mash." DRH40568-MGxfa-134 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 SECTION 5.2.
– A controlled substance, an illicit mixed beverage, illicit spirituous liquor, or mash." House Bill 929-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 SECTION 5.2.
– Any tax levied under this section shall be administered and collected by the Department in the same manner as provided for the tax imposed under Article 39 of this Chapter, provided that the Secretary shall not make a distribution between counties and cities, as provided in G.S.
– Any tax levied under this section shall be administered and collected by the Department in the same manner as provided for the tax imposed under Article 39 of this Chapter, provided that the Secretaryshall not make a distribution between counties and cities, as provided in G.S.
116-29.2." Page 8 DRH40568-MGxfa-134 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 SECTION 5.3.
116-29.2." Page 8 House Bill 929-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 SECTION 5.3.
– The University Cannabis Equity Investment Fund is established as a special revenue fundin theOfficeof thePresident ofThe University ofNorthCarolina.Allocations from the fund shall be made in the discretion of the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund Committee.
– The University Cannabis Equity Investment Fund is established as a special revenue fundin theOfficeofthePresident ofThe UniversityofNorthCarolina.Allocations from the fund shall be made in the discretion of the Cannabis Equity Reinvestment Fund Committee.
– Effective July 1 of each calendar year, the funds remitted to the University CancerResearch Fund bytheSecretary ofRevenuefrom thetaxon medical marijuana are appropriated for the purposes set forth in this section.
– Effective July 1 of each calendar year, the funds remitted to the UniversityCancerResearch Fund bytheSecretaryofRevenuefrom thetax on medical marijuana are appropriated for the purposes set forth in this section.
DRH40568-MGxfa-134 Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (2) The sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to be used to establish and operate the Social Equity Business Development Grant Program authorized by G.S.
House Bill 929-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2021 (2) The sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to be used to establish and operate the Social EquityBusiness Development Grant Program authorized byG.S.
Page 10 DRH40568-MGxfa-134
Page 10 House Bill 929-First Edition
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How this bill changes current law

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Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill legalizes the medical use of cannabis in North Carolina and establishes a regulatory framework for its cultivation, manufacture, and dispensing.

  • Chapter 90 of the General Statutes

    Article 43. Medical Cannabis.

    This adds a new article regarding the medical use of cannabis.

  • G.S. 90-730

    Definitions. The following definitions apply in this Article: ...

    This establishes definitions relevant to medical cannabis.

  • G.S. 90-730.1

    Health care provider and patient protections for the medical use of cannabis.

    This section provides legal protections for patients and healthcare providers involved in the medical use of cannabis.

  • G.S. 90-730.2

    Licensing of medical cannabis cultivation and manufacturing. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shall adopt rules for the licensing of persons for the cultivation of medical cannabis...

    This mandates a licensing framework for cultivation and manufacturing of medical cannabis.

  • G.S. 90-730.3

    Licensing and regulation of medical cannabis dispensaries. By no later than January 1, 2023, the Commission shall adopt rules for the establishment, licensing, and operation of medical cannabis dispensaries.

    This requires the establishment of a licensing and regulatory framework for medical cannabis dispensaries.

  • G.S. 90-730.4

    Social Equity Business Development Grant program. ...

    This establishes a grant program to support social equity in the cannabis industry.

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 18 co-sponsors · 158 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (18)

Not signed on (158)

158 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 158 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 929?
HB 929 is sponsored by K. Smith, R. Smith, Alexander, Pricey Harrison (Democratic), Carla D. Cunningham (U), Becky Carney (Democratic), Autry, Amber M. Baker (Democratic), Fisher, Harris, Zack Hawkins (Democratic), Hunter, Carolyn G. Logan (Democratic), Lucas, Nasif Majeed (U), Meyer, Marcia Morey (Democratic), Brian Turner (Democratic), Wray, Julie von Haefen (Democratic), and Eric Ager (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 929?
This bill died with 2021-2022 Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 929?
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