Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein said the bill lacks protections and should go further in decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana and expunging past convictions. “It’s past time for N.C. to move forward on medical cannabis, decriminalization of simple possession, and expungement of criminal records, but we have to do it right. HB 563 fails to adequately protect kids,” Stein wrote in a statement shared last week.
Holds office Attorney General
Attorney General Josh Stein announced the task force's recommendations Wednesday. The task force was previously convened by Gov. Roy Cooper to develop policies to advocate for racial equity in criminal justice reform.
"You cannot talk about improving racial equity in our criminal justice system without talking about marijuana," said Attorney General Josh Stein. "White and Black North Carolinians use marijuana at similar rates, yet Black people are disproportionately arrested and sentenced. Additionally, it is time for North Carolina to start having real conversations about a safe, measured, public health approach to potentially legalizing marijuana."
Q: "What do you expect to see happen with the legalization of marijuana, and what do you expect to see happen in the future with the regulation of hemp, and marijuana, were it to be legalized?"
A: "I think there needs to be a very broad conversation across the state among the entire population, and in particular, stakeholders in the issue of marijuana legalization from public health people, law enforcement, agriculture, educators. I think that’s a debate and a discussion that needs to happen, and I look forward to participating in it."
The North State Journal - 7/13/22 General Assembly returns for short session May 18
It’s time for N.C. to move forward on medical cannabis, decriminalization of simple possession, and expungement of criminal records,” tweeted Stein on April 20, a day known for annual cannabis celebrations. “Let’s act but let’s get it right – including strong protections for kids, no advertising, state-controlled sales, and putting N.C. farmers first.
Ballotpedia Candidate Questionnaire in 2020:
As Attorney General, I have also pursued policies that promote equity for all North Carolinians and improve public safety. For that reason, I support criminal justice reforms, such as bail reform, juvenile justice reform, and effective reentry. I also support more effective responses to domestic violence and sexual assault. Particularly in light of the killing of George Floyd and the ensuing protests, working toward comprehensive criminal justice reforms must be a priority - and one reason I am honored Gov. Cooper appointed me to co-chair the Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice in North Carolina.
A- Publicly supports ending prohibition of marijuana for adults – has not cosponsored legislation.
Stein served in the Senate from 2008-March 2016
Voted Aye on HB1220-Hope 4 Haley and Friends which proposed a pilot study program and registry to investigate the safety and efficacy of hemp extract in the treatment of intractable epilepsy. Neurologists at UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, Wake Forest University and Duke University were encouraged to conduct studies and provide hemp extract of less than 0.3% THC by weight and at least 10% cannabidiol by weight to patients with intractable epilepsy who enrolled in those studies. 2014
Voted Aye on HB766-Amend CBD Oil Statute which proposed that board certified neurologists may recommend hemp extract containing less than 0.9% THC by weight and at least 5% cannabidiol by weight to patients with intractable epilepsy without enrolling in pilot studies, and that DHHS set up a database of patients, caregivers and neurologists rather than a registry. 2015
Voted Aye on SB313-Industrial Hemp which proposed the development of an industrial hemp industry in the State in order to expand employment, promote economic activity, and provide opportunities to small farmers for an environmentally sustainable and profitable use of crop lands that might otherwise be lost to agricultural production; to establish an agricultural pilot program for the cultivation of industrial hemp in the State, to provide for reporting on the program by growers and processors for agricultural or other research, and to pursue any federal permits or waivers necessary to allow industrial hemp to be grown in the State. 2015
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