North Carolina Governor Forms Advisory Council to Regulate Cannabis Market

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North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced in a recent statement (1), that the state would be creating a State Advisory Council on Cannabis and urged that young people needed stronger protection from the unregulated cannabis market.

“Today all across North Carolina, there are unregulated intoxicating THC products available for purchase: just walk into any vape shop. There is no legal minimum age to purchase these products! That means that kids are buying them,” Governor Stein mentioned in his statement (1,3). “Without any enforceable labeling requirements, adults are using them recreationally without knowing what is in them or how much THC there is. Our state’s unregulated cannabis market is the wild west and is crying for order. Let’s get this right and create a safe, legal market for adults that protects kids.”

Governor Stein further said in his statement (1), “That is why I am announcing a State Advisory Council on Cannabis. I am charging this group with studying and recommending a comprehensive approach to regulate cannabis sales. They will study best practices and learn from other states to develop a system that protects youth, allows adult sales, ensures public safety, promotes public health, supports North Carolina agriculture, expunges past convictions of simple THC possession, and invests the revenues in resources for addiction, mental health, and drugged driving detection.”

Recreational cannabis is not legal at this time in North Carolina but products which may consist of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other THC derivatives are available for purchase at vape shops and gas stations (2). Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone, who is one of the people that have been selected for the Governor's council said to ABC11 (2), “This stuff is not safe. There's a lot of THC and unknown ingredients in it, and it's a danger to our public.” The State Advisory Council on Cannabis will include around 24 people on the board and will work toward (2), “a goal of better regulating products like THC-A, Delta 8, Delta 9, and hemp products.”

Cannabis advocates expressed satisfaction with the governor’s recent move. “It's a long time coming, and we certainly hope that this will bear fruit,” said Ann Caughran, a Charlotte-based volunteer with NORML (2). Advocates in the space would like to see regulation of the cannabis industry handled by the government. Caughran explained that cannabis products (2), “have to go through an extensive testing process, and that is certainly far safer than, you know, what we're seeing here on the shelves. I don't see any signs of a regulated testing process.”

In an interview with WRAL News (3,4), Governor Stein said, “The idea that we have a system where this product, which is a drug that can get you high, is for sale out there without any restrictions on how it’s sold to me is insane. With alcohol – I believe adults should be able to drink alcohol if they choose – but we have a system that ensures that we’re protecting kids. You cannot be under 21.”

“I want to thank members of the General Assembly for their interest in addressing this gaping loophole in state law. Let’s work together on a thoughtful, comprehensive solution that allows sales to adults and that is grounded in public safety and health. We can work together and get this right,” Governor Stein expressed in his statement (1).

References

1. Governor Stein announces State Advisory Council to bring order to cannabis market https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/06/04/governor-stein-announces-state-advisory-council-bring-order-cannabis-market (accessed Jun 5, 2025).
2. Coffey, S. Governor stein announces advisory council tasked with Cannabis Product Safety, Regulations https://abc11.com/post/governor-stein-announces-advisory-council-tasked-cannabis-product-safety-regulations/16660677/ (accessed Jun 5, 2025).
3. Branfalt, T. North Carolina gov. Creates Advisory Council to explore cannabis reforms https://www.ganjapreneur.com/north-carolina-gov-creates-advisory-council-to-explore-cannabis-reforms/ (accessed Jun 5, 2025).
4. Tillet, L. NC gov. Josh Stein supports legalizing THC-intoxicating products for adults https://www.wral.com/video/nc-gov-josh-stein-supports-legalizing-thc-intoxicating-products-for-adults/22037147/ (accessed Jun 5, 2025).