Medical marijuana could soon be legalized in NC. Who would qualify for a prescription?
The North Carolina Senate approved a bill that would legalize medical marijuana but if signed into law would only be for a select group of people.
Senate Bill 711, which received bipartisan support, passed 35-10 on Thursday. If passed, North Carolina would become the 38th state to legalize medical marijuana, according to the proposal.
Some critics of the bill argue that it is too strict since it only allows people with certain ailments to possibly obtain prescriptions. The legislation is now headed to the House of Representatives.
Here is who would qualify to access medicinal cannabis and under what specific conditions if the bill becomes law.
RELATED: Medical marijuana legalization passes NC Senate with bipartisan support
If medical marijuana is legal in NC, these conditions are covered
There are 15 medical conditions covered by the bill. A few are fairly broad while others are highly specific An advisory board could add to that list. Some of the major ones include:
▪ Cancer
▪ PTSD
▪ Anyone in hospice, or with a terminal diagnosis
▪ Epilepsy
▪ Crohn’s disease
▪ Parkinson’s disease
▪ Sickle cell anemia
Who else is eligible
Patients under 18 with debilitating medical conditions would be eligible for medical marijuana prescriptions if a physician explains the risks and benefits of cannabis use, they are restricted to a non-inhalation consumption method and have a parent or guardian’s permission, according to the bill.
Physicians initially would have to receive 10 hours of training to offer a cannabis prescription.
This story was originally published June 3, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
