Burgin said he is more concerned about addressing the underlining problems of post-traumatic stress syndrome for military veterans rather than just their symptoms.

Burgin said that if medical marijuana is approved, it should not be made available in an inhaling or smoking option because of the potential exposure to carcinogens similar to those in smoking traditional cigarettes.

Burgin said that instead of allowing outside cannabis production operations into North Carolina, the state should encourage the tobacco industry to get involved.

Burgin mentioned R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. as an example since "they have the experience to do stuff, the labs and everything else, that we ought to be utilizing those folks."

WNCT 8/28/2021:

Sen. Jim Burgin, a Republican who represents Harnett, Johnston and Lee counties, outlined a variety of concerns, saying he’s heard from the sheriffs in each of those counties that they’re opposed.  

He raised concerns about people being able to get licenses from the state and then being able to sell those licenses.  

“We need to figure out how to take the profit motive out of it if it is ever done because if we do this I think we’ll have legalized marijuana in this state in 24 months,” he said.