Part I.

Enacts new GS Chapter 18D, establishing registration and licensure requirements and procedures governing the operation of cannabis establishments, and making possession and use of cannabis for personal use by persons at least 21 years of age lawful within the statutory possession limit. States legislative findings. Excludes Article 44 of GS Chapter 90, as enacted and governing medical cannabis, from the scope of the new Chapter. Creates the Office of Community Reinvestment (Office) within the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (Commission), and provides for the Office's executive director, funding, and powers and duties, which include defining community reinvestment applicant, advising the Commission, providing reporting, investigating establishments, and administering three funds established by the act: the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund, the Social Opportunity Fund, and the Cannabis Education and Technical Assistance Fund. Charges the Office with promoting and encouraging full participation in the regulated cannabis industry by people from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by the cannabis prohibition and enforcement in order to positively impact those communities.

Charges the Commission with cannabis establishment registration issuance and annual renewal. Provides for conditional approval for applicants that have not yet purchased or leased the establishment location. Subjects registered establishments to Commission inspection. Requires establishments operating with on-site consumption to be issued a permit, license, or registration that expressly allows such operation by the local regulatory authority of the locality. Authorizes local prohibition of establishments by ordinance, so long as transportation through the locality is permitted. Authorizes localities to govern the time, place, manner, and number of operations consistent with the Chapter. Bars host community agreements whereby establishments or applicants provide anything of value to the locality.

Limits the sale of cannabis and cannabis products to ABC stores or cannabis stores operated by local boards; allows these stores to accept online orders, including payment, for cannabis sold in its store. Requires online orders to be picked up by the person who placed the order and sets out provision governing name and age verification. Makes the provisions of 18B-801 (location, opening, and closing of ABC stores) applicable to cannabis stores. Sets out limitations on when stores can operate. Allows the Commission to adopt rules for the organization and operation of self-service cannabis stores, the size of store signs, the display of cannabis, solicitation in around ABC stores, and any other subject related to the efficient operation of cannabis stores.

Makes the following legal by persons at least 21 years of age lawful within the statutory possession limit: (1) possessing, consuming, ingesting, smoking, growing, using, processing, purchasing, or transporting cannabis; (2) transferring cannabis to a person who is 21 years of age or older without remuneration; (3) controlling property where actions described by this section occur; and (4) assisting another person who is 21 years of age or older in any of these acts. Sets the possession limits as: (1) two ounces of cannabis, excluding concentrated cannabis or cannabis products; (2) 15 grams of concentrated cannabis; (3) cannabis products containing no more than 2,000 mg of tetrahydrocannabinol; (4) six cannabis plants; or (5) any additional cannabis produced by the person's cannabis plants provided that possession exceeding these limits is limited to the same property of cultivation. Establishes restrictions for cultivating cannabis plants, including requiring cultivation out of public view and taking reasonable precautions to secure the plants from unauthorized access by minors, with violations constituting infractions punishable by up to $750 or up to 75 hours of community service. Makes it an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $50 or up to five hours of community service, to smoke cannabis in a public place or in an area of an on-site consumption establishment where smoking is prohibited. Makes it an infraction to operate a motor vehicle or motorized device used for transportation, punishable by a fine of up to $250, up to 25 hours of community service, and/or license suspension for up to six months. Provides increased penalties for subsequent offenses. 

Makes it an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $150 or up to 15 hours of community service, for a person under 21 to present false identification in procuring or attempting to procure cannabis, or gaining access to a cannabis establishment. Makes specified extractions from cannabis a Class E felony, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000. Makes possession, use, distribution, or manufacture of cannabis accessories by persons 21 or older lawful, subject to Commission rules. For violations, makes a first offense an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and forfeiture, and a second offense a Class A1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 180 days in jail and forfeiture. Establishes penalties and court-ordered entry into substance abuse treatment and/or education programs for juveniles and persons under 18 for possessing, using, or purchasing cannabis or cannabis accessories. Prohibits discrimination in employment and professional licensure and public assistance benefits, and prohibits arresting, prosecuting, or assessing a penalty solely for conduct permitted by the Chapter. Provides other protections relating to child custody or visitation, State or local government benefits and entitlement, medical care, and conditions of pretrial release.

The Chapter does not prevent government employers from disciplining employees or contractors for consumption in the workplace or working while impaired, nor prevent penalization of conduct under the influence which would constitute negligence or professional malpractice. Provides for the Chapter to not apply when it conflicts with the governmental employers' federal obligations or federal monetary or licensing-related benefits. Deems operation of a registered establishment lawful, subject to the Chapter, Commission rules, and local authorities. Details requirements for establishments to verify that consumers are 21 or older and provides for an affirmative defense to prosecutions for violations. Provides protections from professional discrimination for the provision of services to or previous employment at a cannabis establishment. Provides for the rights of property owners and protections for tenants with prior cannabis-related convictions. Deems contracts related to establishment operation enforceable. Details restrictions of law enforcement and State and local governments with respect to conduct permitted under the Chapter.

Requires the Commission to adopt necessary implementing rules within 180 days of January 1, 2026, as specified, and including 27 specified regulations. 

Effective January 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on after that date.

Adds new Article 2F to GS Chapter 105, establishing the following tax on cannabis. Levies an excise tax on cannabis and cannabis products possessed by manufacturers at the following rates: (1) cannabis plant material, at the rate of 0.00625 of 1¢ per milligram of total THC, as reflected on the product label; (2) cannabis edible products, at the rate of 0.0275 of 1¢ per milligram of total THC, as reflected on the product label; and (3) cannabis, other than cannabis plant material or cannabis edible products, at the rate of nine-tenths 0.9 of 1¢ per milligram of total THC, as reflected on the product label. Requires the tax to be paid by any manufacturer who possesses cannabis or cannabis products upon which the tax has not been paid, as evidence by a stamp. Sets out the timing of the payment and requires a stamp to be affixed to the cannabis or cannabis product after paying the tax. Sets out provisions governing the administration of this Article, assessment of the tax, penalties, and interest, and confidentiality of information obtained in administering the tax. Requires the proceeds of the tax to be credited to the new Cannabis Regulation Account (Account) and sets out how funds are to be distributed to the nine listed entities, including how the funds are to be used. Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Part II.

Enacts new Article 44, NC Medical Cannabis Act, to GS Chapter 90. Provides broad civil and criminal immunity for a patient or a designated caregiver for purchasing or possessing cannabis for medical use if the quantity does not exceed an adequate supply as determined by the NC Medical Care Commission. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to issue "registry identification cards" to persons who qualify as patients or designated caregivers, and provides that a card creates a rebuttable presumption of permissible use if the person does not possess more than an adequate supply. Requires the patient or designated caregiver to possess a registry card issued by DHHS. Specifies conditions under which provisions of the act are applicable to minors. Prohibits a school, employer, or landlord from refusing to enroll, employ, or lease to, or to otherwise penalize, a person because of his or her status under the act or the permissible possession or use of cannabis. Also provides immunity and protection from penalties for physicians for conduct consistent with the act. Provides other protections relating to conduct of law enforcement, child custody or visitation, constructive possession, and the unauthorized substances tax. Specifies criteria and procedures for DHHS issuance or renewal of registry identification cards and requires that DHHS maintain a confidential list of persons to whom cards are issued. Allows DHHS to verify for law enforcement whether a card is valid and to report to law enforcement about falsified or fraudulent information submitted to DHHS. Makes violation of the confidentiality provision a Class 1 misdemeanor, subject to a fine of up to $1,000.

Directs the NC Medical Care Commission to adopt rules to implement the provisions regarding registry cards, establishing requirements for the issuance of registry identification cards to patients and designated caregivers who meet certain minimum specifications. Requires the rules be adopted no later than 120 days after the effective date of the act.

Effective January 1, 2026, and applies to acts committed on or after that date.

Part III.

Enacts GS 15A-145.8B, mandating the automatic expunction of convictions for offenses involving marijuana or hashish that is legal under new GS Chapter 18D by July 1, 2028. Charges the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) with determining eligible offenses, creating an electronic list of offenses, and providing the list to clerks of superior court by October 1, 2027, to prepare and complete orders of expungement. Provides for expungement of related government records, except DNA records and samples stored, and reversal of administration actions taken as a result from the charges or convictions expunged. Provides for the effect of the expunction. Effective January 1, 2026.

Part IV.

Makes conforming repeals in the following statutory sections to reflect the new enactments: GS 90-87, GS 90-94, GS 90-95, GS 90-113.22A, GS 90-113.21, GS 105-113.106, GS 105-113.107, GS 105-113-107A, GS 105-113.108, GS 106-134, GS 148-64.1, and GS 90-94.1.

Makes conforming changes to GS 105-113.106, defining dealer to exclude possession of marijuana. 

Effective January 1, 2026.

Part IV.

Includes a severability clause.

Provides a savings clause for prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date of the act.