As more states legalize the plant for medical and recreational use, the push at the national level has become stronger, with bills like the MORE Act emanating out of the House. But for the first time in U.S. history, a Senate Majority Leader has sponsored
Most conservative lawmakers in North Carolina have traditionally been opposed to legalizing marijuana for either medical or adult use purposes. But unlike other legalization bills on the docket this session, NC S711 was sponsored by a Republican—Sen. Bill Rabon (R-8).
State Senator and Senate Minority Whip Jay Chaudhuri (D-15) made headlines at the beginning of April when he introduced SB 646, a bill that would legalize marijuana for recreational use in North Carolina. The bill is the first of its kind in the state.
The new law specifically includes provisions to help communities impacted by decades of prohibition. As a result, legalizing the plant could have a profound effect on social and criminal justice issues in the state.
Lawmakers in New York are quietly working on a number of reforms to the state's criminal justice system. Together, these bills could overhaul the state's approach to policing and incarceration practices.