The rescheduling of marijuana by the Biden administration, spearheaded by President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland, will redefine cannabis regulation nationwide. In North Carolina, the absence of state-level legislation to address this shift will result in significant legal and regulatory turmoil.

Legal and Regulatory Nightmares

North Carolina's current legal framework is ill-prepared for the complexities that will arise from the federal rescheduling of marijuana. Without proactive measures, the state faces several daunting scenarios:

• Law Enforcement Confusion: The lack of clear state guidelines will lead to inconsistent enforcement, wrongful arrests, and potential civil rights violations. Law enforcement agencies will be left in a legal limbo, unsure how to handle marijuana-related cases.

• Public Safety Risks: Unregulated cannabis could flood the market, with no quality controls in place to ensure consumer safety. This could lead to public health crises and increased strain on emergency services.

• Judicial Overload: Courts will be inundated with cases challenging the legality of marijuana-related arrests and seizures, clogging the judicial system and delaying justice for other critical cases.

The Economic and Social Impact

Beyond the immediate legal and regulatory concerns, the lack of a medical marijuana program will have broader economic and social repercussions:

• Economic Instability: Businesses eager to enter the medical marijuana market will face uncertainty, stifling economic growth and innovation. Potential tax revenues that could fund essential state services will be lost.

• Veteran and Patient Suffering: Veterans and patients with chronic conditions will continue to suffer without access to medical marijuana, which has been proven to alleviate symptoms where traditional medicine has failed.

• Federal Overreach: The lack of state legislation will invite federal intervention, potentially imposing stricter regulations and penalties, eroding state sovereignty and control over cannabis policy.

North Carolina must act swiftly to establish a medical marijuana program that preempts the federal rescheduling. This proactive approach will mitigate the legal, regulatory, and social chaos that otherwise looms on the horizon. The state's lawmakers have a duty to protect their constituents, maintain order, and ensure the smooth integration of new federal policies.

By adopting a medical marijuana program now, North Carolina can:

• Provide Clear Guidelines for Law Enforcement: Ensuring consistent and fair application of the law.

• Protect Public Health: Implementing regulations that guarantee the safety and quality of medical marijuana.

• Secure Economic Benefits: Harnessing the economic potential of a regulated medical marijuana market.

• Uphold State Sovereignty: Preventing unwarranted federal interference in state affairs.

The time to act is now. North Carolina must not wait until federal rescheduling throws the state into disarray. By taking decisive legislative action, the state can navigate this transition smoothly and protect the well-being of its residents.