Mecklenburg County Cannabis – Is It Legal & Where To Buy 2024

Is Cannabis Cultivation Legal in Mecklenburg County?

Cannabis cultivation, whether for recreational or medical purposes, is illegal in Mecklenburg County as both adult-use and medical cannabis are currently prohibited in North Carolina. Section 90-94 of the North Carolina General Statutes considers marijuana a Schedule VI drug; hence, any resident caught cultivating cannabis may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony depending on how many cannabis plants are cultivated by the offender. Small cultivation operations may result in a $1,000 fine and up to 8 months in jail, while large-grow operations may result in fines of up to $200,000 and jail terms of up to 18 years for convicted persons.

Is Cannabis Manufacturing Legal in Mecklenburg County?

No. Cannabis manufacturing is currently illegal in Mecklenburg County. No individual or entity may manufacture cannabis products for either recreational or medical purposes.

Is Cannabis Retail Legal in Mecklenburg County?

It is illegal to conduct cannabis retail sales in Mecklenburg County. North Carolina does not approve recreational cannabis retail storefronts or medical cannabis dispensaries. Hence, it is illegal to sell or purchase cannabis in Mecklenburg County. Persons caught selling or purchasing cannabis face severe penalties.

Is Cannabis Delivery Legal in Mecklenburg County?

Cannabis delivery is illegal in Mecklenburg County as adult-use and medical cannabis are illegal in North Carolina.

How to Get Medical Marijuana Card in Mecklenburg County

Unlike other states with a medical marijuana program, North Carolina does not operate a medical marijuana program; hence, North Carolina does not issue medical marijuana cards. A medical marijuana (MMJ) card is a state-issued identification card that qualifies the person named on the card to obtain and use medical marijuana within stipulated limits.

However, the North Carolina's Compassionate Care Act, sponsored by Senators Bill Rabon and Michael Lee, may change medical cannabis legality in the state by requiring qualified patients to obtain MMJ cards in order to use medical marijuana. SB 711, also called the North Carolina's compassionate Care Act, has cleared the Senate's Judiciary, Finance, and Health Care Committee. Once passed, this Act will permit medical cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, and retail. The Senate in North Carolina is expected to take up SB 711 during the short 2022 legislative session scheduled to begin in May.

How Has Cannabis Legalization Impacted the Economy of Mecklenburg County?

The cannabis marketplace in Mecklenburg County, and the rest of North Carolina, has no legal status because recreational and adult-use cannabis remains illegal in the state. However, if either or both adult-use and medical cannabis are legalized, North Carolina and its municipalities will generate revenue through the tax imposed on sales. SB 711, if passed into law by the North Carolina legislature, will require medical cannabis suppliers to pay a monthly levy equivalent to 10% of their gross revenue.

The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on Crime Rates in Mecklenburg County

Cannabis has not yet been legalized in Mecklenburg County. Hence it is not yet possible to measure the effects of cannabis legalization on crime rates in the county. SB 711, to be taken up during the state's short 2022 legislative session commencing in May 2022, is the closest the state has come to legalizing medical cannabis.