Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act (S346) - Summary

• Legalizes cannabis possession, use, and sale for adults 21 and older in North Carolina effective January 1, 2024, with personal possession limits of 2 ounces of cannabis, 15 grams of concentrates, 2,000 mg THC in products, or 6 plants.

• Establishes regulated cannabis market with licensing system for cultivators, retailers, manufacturers, testing facilities, transporters, and delivery services under Department of Public Safety oversight.

• Creates Office of Social Equity to administer three funds (Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, Social Equity Fund, Cannabis Education and Technical Assistance Fund) and prioritize participation by individuals and communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition.

• Imposes 20% state excise tax and allows municipalities to impose up to 3% local option tax on cannabis sales, with revenue distributed to community reinvestment (25%), social equity programs (10%), substance abuse treatment (7%), public education campaigns (2%), and cannabis research (2%).

• Establishes medical cannabis program allowing patients with qualifying conditions to register for access with designated caregivers, and automatically expunges prior cannabis convictions by July 1, 2026.