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Legalizing Marijuana

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Legalizing Marijuana
Legalizing Marijuana

Currently in the state of North Carolina it is illegal to be in possession of marijuana. However there is a state bill currently working its way through the North Carolina legislative process. If this bill passes it would legalize medical marijuana. It is also important to remember that even if medical marijuana is made legal according to North Carolina fall, possession of marijuana for any purpose was still be illegal under federal law (Freeadvice: law, 2013).

In regards to the current state law, if you are arrested and charged with possession of marijuana in North Carolina, the penalties will depend upon the amount of marijuana in your possession and what your intentions are to do with it. The penalties for possession of marijuana in North Carolina can include incarceration, fines, and marijuana addiction treatment programs (Freeadvice: law, 2013).

If you are arrested and charged with possession of a synthetic form of marijuana for a concentrated form will typically bring stiffer penalties in North Carolina than possession of regular marijuana. The difference between a charge of possession vs. selling marijuana can be considered a difference between a felony and misdemeanor conviction depending upon the amount (Freeadvice: law, 2013).

In February 2013, a bill was presented that could protect patients from prosecution if they were found to be in possession of prescription marijuana. Currently federal law prohibits the use of marijuana, but states are not required to enforce it (M. Papich, 2013).

Medical marijuana is currently illegal in the state of North Carolina; the bill has argued that legalization may promote the welfare of citizens who have cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and other diagnoses. Current medical research has discovered the benefits of using cannabis to treat or alleviate pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with debilitating medical conditions (M. Papich, 2013).



References: Freeadvice: law, 2013, North Carolina Marijuana Laws: Is Marijuana Legal in North Carolina? Retrieved from http://criminal-law.freeadvice.com/criminal-law/marijuana-law/is-marijuana-legal-in-north-carolina.htm Michael Papich, (2013), THE PENDULUM: Bill legalizing medical marijuana surfaces in NC General Assembly. Retrieved from http://www.elonpendulum.com/2013/02/bill-legalizing-medical-marijuana-surfaces-in-nc-general-assembly/ Medical Marijuana, (2013), North Carolina: North Carolina Medical Cannabis Act. Retrieved from http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/sourcefiles/north-carolina-hb-84.pdf NC NORML.org, (ND): Working to Reform Marijuana Laws. Retrieved from http://www.ncnorml.org/aboutus.htm

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