Why has North Carolina been unsuccessful in passing medical cannabis legislation?
I have been talking with Republican leadership and legislatures. Which are in the majority, in North Carolina, from the state executive to both houses of legislature. The issues republicans’ have with the current draft bill, HB84 from 2014. Is that there are no control measures to prevent creep and leak. What do I mean by that? Creep and leak are terms I use to identify “leaking” of legal products into the black market and “creep” is a term I use to identify illegal products “creeping” into the hands of unqualified buyers. The most liberal of states at least have controls to prevent legal cannabis from falling into the hand of black market dealers. And there are no measures to protect children.
North Carolina needs a comprehensive law that establishes sensible regulation for the industry. Fair access for patients, legal protection for doctors. And a system that keep as much of the medical cannabis out of the black market and children’s hands. The truth is that you will never be able to keep 100% of the legally produced cannabis medication out of the wrong hands. But, it is the responsibility of legislators to enact laws that have controls and protections for it’s citizenry. Just as it is important that we the people put our legislator to task.
How can that be done? It seems like such a monumental task. Well, 20+ states have been doing it, some successfully and other states not so successfully. It would be in the best interest of the citizens and the bill its self. That a new bill is written taking the best from the most successful medical cannabis states. Modifying language to best represent the state of North Carolina and it’s citizens.
Let us discuss some of the blaring issues that will prevent the bill from passing.
A patient may grow outside, in a 250 square foot area. That is how the language reads. What do you see that’s wrong with this? The first issue, what prevents some one from walking in your back yard and stealing the plants? Nothing… there is no call for a regulatory system. This part of the legislation has 0% chance of garnering favor with republicans. Solution? Only allow for a regulated production and sales through licensed growers, producers and medical cannabis centers. Require state licensed growers to track and serialize each and every living plant, seed or clone. Plus, require producers to to utilize BioTrackTHC software.
The second is that the condition and disease list. It looks similar to California. As we have seen in California, their medical cannabis law basically allows doctors to prescribe for anything. Thus creating a pseudo legalization through the medical system. Which I believe puts doctors in precarious situations and discredits the medical system in general. Thus, under the California system a qualified doctor can prescribe cannabis to any patient they think needs medical cannabis. Solution? A defined list of ailments that the state recognizes as conditions treatable with cannabis. This is how it works with pharmaceuticals. But, there needs to be a petition system. A system that allows doctors and patients to ask the state to consider their condition be added to the list. This is how Michigan, Colorado and Washington State dwelt with this issue and has had much success.
There is noting regarding edibles. How will they be packaged? How to prevent accidental ingestion by minors? Whats the solution? Using currently available pharmaceutical packaging for small edible candies. Require markings that identify the item as a medical cannabis product. Require patients to keep cannabis medications locked and unavailable to unqualified people and minors.
We have some work to do in North Carolina. But, it is not a bridge to far.
Sincerely,
veteransforcannabis