North Carolina lawmakers say discussions are being rekindled over the state's marijuana laws — a move that comes as the Trump administration moves to reclassify the drug as less dangerous.
Across the country, a patchwork of laws and enforcement regulate marijuana. The drug is illegal under federal law, but dozens of U.S. states have legalized it. And nearly all states have legalized medical marijuana prescriptions for certain ailments. North Carolina is among the remaining states to resist any form of legalization. Republican politicians in North Carolina have resisted passing any sort of marijuana legalization or decriminalization bill, despite public polling that shows broad public support for such changes.
Senate Leader Phil Berger said this week that his chamber is expected to revisit efforts to legalize medical marijuana. "We'll have a conversation within our caucus as to whether or not we do something if they're interested," Berger told reporters Tuesday.
Recent actions by Republican President Donald Trump could add a new dimension to those talks. Trump's acting attorney general on Thursday signed an order classifying medical marijuana as a less-dangerous — and less strictly regulated — drug. It does not legalize marijuana for medical or recreational use under federal law.
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