North Carolina Marijuana Laws

Medical and recreational marijuana use is illegal in North Carolina. The state allows patients with intractable epilepsy to possess and consume CBD oil that contains less than 0.9% THC, though no regulated retail locations are operational.

North Carolina marijuana laws

LAW BREAKDOWN

LAW BREAKDOWNS

North Carolina has partially decriminalized simple marijuana possession, and the drug is legal for limited, non-intoxicating medical uses. But any other possession, sale, delivery, or cultivation of the drug is a crime.

Possession

Possession of half an ounce of marijuana or less is a misdemeanor in North Carolina but does not carry potential jail time. At most a $200 fine may be imposed.

Possession of between half an ounce and 1.5 ounces is likewise a misdemeanor and is punishable by a minimum sentence of 1 day in jail and a maximum of 45 days, plus up to $1,000 in fines. Possession of between 1.5 ounces and 10 pounds is a felony punishable by at least 3 months in jail, as many as 8, and a fine of up to $1,000.

Possession of any amount greater than 10 pounds is automatically treated as possession with intent to distribute, a felony. But possession with intent can be charged for smaller amounts: The minimum penalty for possession of less than 10 pounds with intent is 3 months in jail, while the maximum is 8 months and $1,000.

A penalty of between 25 and 39 months imprisonment, plus a fine of at least $5,000, applies to possession of between 10 and 50 pounds with intent. If the amount is between 50 and 2,000 pounds, a prison term of between 35 and 51 months applies, along with up to $25,000 in fines.

Possession of between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds with intent is punishable by at least 70 months in prison, as many as 93 months, and up to $50,000 in fines. For weights of 10,000 pounds or more, the minimum penalty is 175 months in prison, the maximum is 222 months, and there is a potential fine of $200,000.

Offense Penalty Incarceration Max. Fine
0.5 oz or less Misdemeanor N/A $ 200
0.5 – 1.5 oz Misdemeanor 1 – 45 days $ 1,000
More than 1.5 oz – 10 lbs Felony 3 – 8 months $ 1,000

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With Intent to Distribute

Offense Penalty Incarceration Max. Fine
More than 10 – less than 50 lbs Felony 25* – 39 months $ 5,000
50 – less than 2000 lbs Felony 35* – 51 months $ 25,000
2000 – less than 10,000 lbs Felony 70* – 93 months $ 50,000
10,000 lbs or more Felony 175* – 222 months $ 200,000
* Mandatory minimum sentence

 

Sale or Delivery

Any sale or delivery of cannabis is a felony in North Carolina. For amounts less than 10 pounds, the punishment is at least 4 months in jail and as many as 8, plus $1,000 in fines.

Sale or delivery of 10 to 50 pounds is punishable by at least 25 months in prison, as many as 39 months, and up to $5,000 in fines. For weights of between 50 and 2,000 pounds, the minimum penalty is 35 months in prison, the maximum is 51 months, and fines can total $25,000.

In cases involving between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds, a mandatory minimum sentence of 70 months in prison applies, along with a maximum of 93 months and a fine of up to $50,000. For weight above 10,000 pounds, the sentence includes at least 175 months in prison, as many as 222 months, and a top fine of $200,000.

Selling or delivering marijuana to a minor or a pregnant woman is punishable by between 3 and 8 years in prison. Sale or delivery within 1,000 feet of a school, child care center, or public park carries a minimum penalty of 1 year in jail and a maximum of 3 years in prison.

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Offense Penalty Incarceration Max. Fine
10 lbs or less Felony 4 – 8 months $ 1,000
More than 10 – less than 50 lbs Felony 25* – 39 months $ 5,000
50 – less than 2000 lbs Felony 35* – 51 months $ 25,000
2000 – less than 10,000 lbs Felony 70* – 93 months $ 50,000
10,000 lbs or more Felony 175* – 222 months $ 200,000
To a minor or pregnant women Felony 3 – 8 years N/A
Within 1000 feet of school, child care center, or park grounds Felony 1 – 3 years N/A
* Mandatory minimum sentence

 

Cultivation

It is a felony to grow any amount of cannabis in North Carolina for any reason. Penalties for growing less than 10 pounds range between 3 and 8 months in jail, along with up to $1,000 in fines.

If the amount is between 10 and 50 pounds, the minimum penalty increases to 2 years in prison, the maximum to 2.5 years, and the potential fine to $5,000. Cultivation of between 50 and 2,000 pounds is punishable by between three and 3.5 years in prison and up to $25,000.

Growing between 2,000 and 10,000 pounds carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 6 years in prison, a maximum of 7 years, and a top fine of $50,000. For weights of 10,000 pounds or more, the minimum is 14.5 years in prison, the maximum is 18 years, and the fine can reach $200,000.

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Offense Penalty Incarceration Max. Fine
Less than 10 lbs Felony 3 – 8 months $ 1,000
10 – 50 lbs Felony 2* – 2.5 years $ 5,000
50 – 2000 lbs Felony 3* – 3.5 years $ 25,000
2000 – 10,000 lbs Felony 6* – 7 years $ 50,000
10,000 lbs or more Felony 14.5* – 18 years $ 200,000
*Mandatory minimum sentence

Concentrates

Special rules apply to offenses involving hashish or other marijuana concentrates. Possession of less than 0.05 ounces is a misdemeanor and comes with a punishment of at least 1 day in jail and as many as 10 days, plus a $200 fine.

Possession of between 0.05 and 0.15 ounces of concentrate is also a misdemeanor and is punishable by at least one day in jail, as many as 45 days, and $200. Possession of more than 0.15 ounces is a felony with a minimum term of 4 months in jail, a maximum of 6 months, and a potential fine of $200.

Offense Penalty Incarceration Max. Fine
Possession of less than 0.05 oz Misdemeanor 1 – 10 days $ 200
Possession of 0.05 – 0.15 oz Misdemeanor 1 – 45 days $ 200
Possession of more than 0.15 oz Felony 4 – 6 months $ 200

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Paraphernalia

Marijuana paraphernalia is illegal in North Carolina unless intended, marketed, and used solely for legal purposes. Paraphernalia includes any items used, or intended for use, in the manufacture, cultivation, harvesting, processing, testing, analysis or consumption of marijuana.

Possession, sale, delivery or manufacture of marijuana paraphernalia are misdemeanors punishable by between 1 and 45 days in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. If the paraphernalia is sold to a minor who is at least 3 years younger than the seller, the jail term is between 3 and 8 months.

Offense Penalty Incarceration Max. Fine
Use, possession, sale, delivery, or manufacture of paraphernalia Misdemeanor 1 – 45 days $ 1,000
To a minor who is at least 3 years younger Felony 3 – 8 months N/A

Miscellaneous

Any marijuana crime involving a minor is a felony and is punishable by at least 8 months in jail and as many as 7 years in prison. Possession of cannabis in a penal institution is a felony with a penalty of between 4 and 8 months additional imprisonment.

Civil Asset Forfeiture

Offense
Vehicles and other property may be seized.

Miscellaneous

Offense Penalty Incarceration Max. Fine
Involving a minor Felony 8 months – 7 years N/A
Possession in a penal institution Felony 4 – 8 months N/A
A fine of $0 is discretionary and is decided on a case-by-case basis by the sitting judge. See below for more details.
If convicted of a felony offense and given probation results in driver’s license forfeiture.

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Medical Marijuana

MEDICAL MARIJUANA

North Carolina’s CBD-only legislation calls for a trial study to be conducted by four universities in the state: UNC, Duke, Wake Forest and East Carolina.

The primary focus is to make CBD oil available to minors that suffer from seizures.

QUALIFYING CONDITIONS:
Intractable epilepsy

PATIENT POSSESSION LIMITS:
Cannabis extract containing less than nine-tenths of a percent THC and at least five percent CBD

HOME CULTIVATION:
No

STATE-LICENSED DISPENSARIES:
No

CAREGIVERS:
No

RECIPROCITY:
NO

Marijuana Attorney Directory

North Carolina Marijuana Attorneys

The following North Carolina lawyers are actively involved in the practice of cannabis law:

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