Cannabis law in North Carolina (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: North Carolina's Advisory Council on Cannabis reports that marijuana remains illegal for all purposes, including medical use, and that the state has no regulated adult-use or medical market. Possession of 0.5 ounce or less is a Class 3 misdemeanour, typically punished by a fine. Marijuana is legal under tribal law on the Qualla Boundary.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Possession for personal usePersonal use by an adult | Criminal offence [1] |
| Quantity limitsPersonal use by an adult | Possession of one-half ounce (0.5 ounce) or less is a Class 3 misdemeanour, typically resulting in a fine rather than active jail time. [1] |
| Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [1] |
| Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adult | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Medical cannabisPersonal use by an adult | Not available [1] |
| VisitorsPersonal use by an adult | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Driving after cannabis usePersonal use by an adult | Driving while under the influence of an impairing substance is the offence of impaired driving; being legally entitled to use the drug is no defence. The any-amount rule covers only Schedule I drugs, and marijuana is listed in Schedule VI. [2] |
| Growing at homePersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [3] |
Notes
- Read from the interim report of the NC DHHS Advisory Council on Cannabis (2 April 2026); G.S. 90-95 itself could not be read (HTTP 403). The report notes that marijuana is legal under tribal law on the Qualla Boundary, and that hemp (0.3% delta-9 THC or less) is treated separately. The council's recommendations are not law.
- North Carolina General Assembly statute pages (ncleg.gov) returned HTTP 403. The only official text read was a 2020 NC DOJ paper, which describes G.S. 90-95(d)(4) as of November 2020 and is not accepted as current.
- North Carolina General Assembly statute pages (ncleg.gov) returned HTTP 403. The only official text read was a 2020 NC DOJ paper, which describes G.S. 90-95(d)(4) as of November 2020 and is not accepted as current.
- Growing counts as manufacturing a controlled substance; for marijuana (Schedule VI) this is a Class I felony.
Sources
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: Advisory Council on Cannabis Interim Report (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- North Carolina General Assembly: G.S. 20-138.1 Impaired driving (Internet Archive snapshot of 2 February 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- North Carolina General Assembly: G.S. 90-95 Violations; penalties (Internet Archive snapshot of 31 January 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| Possession for personal use | Criminal offence (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Growing at home | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
| Sale to consumers | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
North Carolina and neighbouring states
| State | Possession for personal use | Growing at home | Sale to consumers | Use or carrying in public places | Medical cannabis | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | Illegal; criminal misdemeanour | Prohibited (felony) | No regulated market | ⚠ Not yet verified | No medical programme | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Georgia | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | No adult sales; medical dispensaries only | — | Low-THC oil only, up to 12,000 mg THC | — |
| South Carolina | Criminal offence (misdemeanour) | Prohibited | Supply is an offence | — | CBD for severe epilepsy only | — |
| Virginia | Legal for adults 21+ within limits | Up to 4 plants per household | No legal sales until 1 July 2027 | No consumption in public places | Practitioner certification | Not addressed (21+ only) |
More rules in North Carolina
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 35 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (Level 2 limited provisional) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (limited learner permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle, one class
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (sparklers and novelties only) · Minimum age to buy: 16 (sparklers and novelties only)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Ordinary closed pocket knife exempt · Locking or one-handed knives: Spring-opened knives are not "ordinary pocket knives"
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $7.25 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: No (texting/email banned) · Hands-free use: Calls not restricted
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (all alcohol) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (all alcohol)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.