No. Gastonia does not have marijuana dispensaries because marijuana is prohibited in North Carolina for both medical and recreational purposes under the state's Controlled Substances Act. Marijuana is categorized as a Schedule VI substance.
No. In Gastonia, there are no medical marijuana dispensaries available, as the use of medical marijuana is not legal in North Carolina. Despite the enactment of HB 766, which permits the use of low-concentration cannabidiol (CBD) oil for individuals who have intractable epilepsy, the law does not provide any provisions for the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries in the state or indicate how registered medical marijuana patients can acquire cannabis products. Generally, CBD products are procured at CBD stores.
No. Purchasing marijuana from online dispensaries is not an option for Gastonia residents since marijuana is illegal in North Carolina. Consequently, there are no authorized online cannabis dispensaries operating in the city.
Only CBD stores are available to Gastonia residents who are eligible to purchase CBD extracts under the state's limited medical program, as there are no dispensaries within the city selling cannabis.
Since marijuana is unlawful in all jurisdictions across North Carolina, the City of Gastonia bans the operation of cannabis dispensaries within its boundaries. As a result, there are no regulations in place in the city to guide the activities of marijuana dispensaries.
The regulations governing recreational cannabis activities in Gastonia are identical to those overseeing cannabis operations in the rest of North Carolina. While the state has decriminalized the possession of cannabis to some extent, it has not legalized it. The state's partial decriminalization of cannabis merely results in reduced penalties for individuals caught in possession of the drug. According to state law, cannabis is still a Schedule VI narcotic, and possessing more than 1.5 ounces of it is classified as a felony offense.
The following penalties apply for marijuana possession:
Possessing up to 0.5 ounces of cannabis is considered a Class 3 misdemeanor, attracting a maximum fine of up to $200
Possessing between 0.5 ounces and 1.5 ounces of cannabis is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor, attracting maximum penalties of a $1,000 fine and 120 days imprisonment
Possessing between 1.5 ounces and 10 pounds of cannabis is considered a Class I Felony, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and a potential prison sentence of up to 8 months
Gastonia, in adherence to state law, prohibits the use of medical cannabis. However, the city allows certain individuals to participate in the restricted medical cannabis program created by the state. The program allows access to low-THC cannabis products for individuals with intractable epilepsy, as per the North Carolina Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act (HB 1220) approved in 2014. Intractable epilepsy refers to epilepsy or seizure disorders that do not respond to conventional medication. Per HB 766, which amended HB 1220 in 2015, low-THC products, often in the form of oils, are extracts from cannabidiol (CBD) containing at least 5% cannabidiol and no more than 0.9% THC.
Unlike other jurisdictions outside the state, persons suffering from debilitating conditions such as HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and cancer are not allowed to participate in North Carolina's medical cannabis program. It is prohibited to cultivate cannabis under the North Carolina medical CBD program, and those caught growing cannabis face severe penalties.
If a state-licensed neurologist determines that a patient with intractable epilepsy will benefit from low-THC cannabis therapy, the physician is permitted to issue a low-THC cannabis recommendation to that patient. However, the patient must have a caregiver who is the individual's parent, legal guardian, or custodian in order to be eligible for enrollment in the state's low-THC program. Currently, the state does not maintain a list of licensed neurologists that may issue low-THC recommendations. Patients are therefore required to find approved state-licensed neurologists that may issue recommendations.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) oversees the medical CBD program in Gastonia and does not set age requirements for participation. Therefore, minors in Gastonia with intractable epilepsy can obtain low-THC cannabis products with the consent of their parents, legal custodians, or guardians serving as their caregivers. Caregivers must be residents of North Carolina, aged at least 18, and approved by the North Carolina DHHS.
While only intractable epilepsy patients in Gastonia can access medical cannabis, per HB 1220, there are no provisions for the issuance of medical marijuana cards to participants of the state’s medical CBD program.
The state Carolina Department of Health and Human Services supervises the low-THC program in North Carolina and does not require patients to apply for medical marijuana cards. Patients must designate caregivers and ensure caregivers are approved by the DHHS. Subsequently, caregivers are required to obtain written statements from state-licensed neurologists attesting that their patients suffer from intractable epilepsy, have been examined by approved neurologists, and will benefit from using medical CBD to treat their conditions.
With a medical CBD recommendation, caregivers can purchase CBD extracts and administer medical CBD products on behalf of their patients.
It is not allowed to consume cannabis or use any cannabis products in any public or private location within Gastonia city limits.
Since there are no cannabis dispensaries operating in Gastonia, it is not possible to buy any cannabis or cannabis-related products within the city's borders.
Selling cannabis is prohibited within the city limits of Gastonia.
Due to the status of cannabis as a prohibited drug in Gastonia, there are no strains available in the city.
No. Cannabis smoking in public areas in Gastonia is illegal.
While possessing small amounts of cannabis has been partially decriminalized throughout North Carolina, possession of any amount of cannabis is still considered illegal. Only individuals with valid registrations with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services are permitted to possess cannabis products containing no more than 0.9% THC.
No. Transporting any form or quantity of cannabis across state lines is illegal and prohibited by state law in North Carolina.
No. Due to the ban on cannabis in Gastonia, buying cannabis online is illegal.
No. According to North Carolina law, cannabis dispensaries are not allowed in any jurisdiction in the state. Consequently, there are no dispensaries within the City of Gastonia.
No. Due to the absence of dispensaries, tourists visiting Gastonia cannot access weed dispensaries in the city.
There are no cannabis dispensaries in Gastonia, as the sale of marijuana is illegal.
There are no dispensaries in Gastonia, as cannabis sales are illegal in the city.
There are no cannabis dispensaries in Gastonia.
Due to the illegal status of cannabis under North Carolina state law, there are currently no licensed marijuana dispensaries operating in Gastonia.
There are no marijuana dispensaries in Gastonia.
In Gastonia, operating medical or recreational dispensaries is illegal under state law. Only CBD stores may be visited by intractable epilepsy patients per HB 766.
In Gastonia, there are currently no dispensaries selling cannabis products. Although CBD oils or extracts sold to patients under the restricted medical cannabis program in Gastonia have been the subject of supported research for their potential benefits, it is not recognized by the FDA or health insurance companies as a covered treatment. Therefore, any purchases of CBD products must be paid for out of pocket.
There are no medical or recreational cannabis dispensaries in Gastonia since North Carolina prohibits the sale of cannabis for any purpose throughout the state.
There are no authorized dispensaries in Gastonia selling cannabis, either to minors or adults.
Since cannabis is illegal in Gastonia, it is not subject to regulation. However, the low-THC program that allows for the use of medical CBD is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). To get in touch with the DHHS, you can reach out to the department at the following contact information:
Physical Address
101 Blair Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
Mailing Address
2001 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-2000
You can report illegal cannabis activities in Gastonia to the Gastonia Police Department by calling the PD at (704) 866-6772 or the Special Investigation Division of the PD at (704) 866-6937.