Democratic state senators dropped Senate Bill 1072, a proposal that could let Tar Heel voters decide the future of cannabis this November. No more waiting on lawmakers who’ve been dragging their feet for years.
What Is Senate Bill 1072?
If the bill passes the legislature, North Carolinians will head to the polls on November 3, 2026 to vote on two separate constitutional amendments:
One that would make possession of limited amounts of cannabis for personal use no longer a criminal offense (the General Assembly would set the exact limits later). Another that would greenlight medical cannabis for patients with qualifying conditions.
“We wanted to put it up to the voters,” said one of the bill’s sponsors, state Sen. Caleb Theodros (D-Mecklenburg).
Other sponsors include Sens. Kandie Smith, Paul Lowe Jr., and Joyce Waddell.
Right now, cannabis is still illegal in North Carolina. Even tiny amounts can land you with a misdemeanor. While neighboring states (and half the country) have already embraced recreational or medical marijuana, North Carolina has stayed stuck in the Stone Age.
Supporters say this ballot measure could fix that by giving everyday North Carolinians a voice after years of legislative gridlock, potentially generating major tax revenue for schools, roads, and public health, addressing criminal justice disparities from outdated weed laws, and offering real relief to patients suffering from chronic pain, PTSD, and more
Polls have consistently shown strong support for medical cannabis and growing backing for adult-use reform. Plus, the state’s own Advisory Council on Cannabis recently recommended a regulated adult-use market to tame the $3 billion underground scene that’s already thriving anyway.
For this to even hit the ballot, SB 1072 needs a three-fifths supermajority in both the House and Senate.
