RALEIGH — The North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis will continue its work this week as its Prevention and Treatment Subcommittee meets Monday, April 6, just days after Governor Josh Stein publicly praised the council’s newly approved interim report and urged lawmakers to act on its recommendations.
The subcommittee — one of several working groups under the statewide council — will convene from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. at the NC Justice Center’s Administrative Office of the Courts in Raleigh. The meeting will focus on cannabis use disorder, treatment strategies, and lessons from other behavioral health fields as the state weighs how to regulate an increasingly accessible cannabis market.
Governor Stein: “The unregulated market is the Wild West”
Following the council’s approval of its interim report, Governor Stein issued a statement thanking members for their “expertise, hard work, and thoughtful deliberation,” emphasizing that North Carolina must move toward a “safe, legal, and well‑regulated market for adults.”
Stein said the current landscape — where intoxicating THC products are widely available to all ages — poses risks to youth and leaves consumers without consistent safety standards.
“Our state’s unregulated cannabis market today is the Wild West and is crying for order,” Stein said. “Let’s protect our kids and create a safe, legal, and well‑regulated market for adults.”
The interim report provides the General Assembly with guidance on oversight, enforcement, and public health protections as lawmakers consider next steps.
Subcommittee to Focus on Prevention, Treatment, and Public Health
Monday’s meeting will be chaired by Mark Ezzell, Director of the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, and will bring together experts in behavioral health, addiction treatment, and public safety.
Agenda Highlights
1:10–1:55 p.m. — Cannabis Use Disorder Interventions Presenter: Dr. Denise Walker, Arizona State University School of Social Work Dr. Walker, a national researcher in cannabis use disorder and adolescent behavioral health, will brief the subcommittee on evidence‑based treatment models and early‑intervention strategies.
2:05–2:50 p.m. — Lessons from Problem Gambling Treatment Presenters: Alison Wood and Tiffany Reddick, NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services The session will explore how North Carolina’s gambling treatment framework may inform cannabis prevention and recovery programs.
2:50–3:25 p.m. — Group Work: Recommendation Matrix Members will refine policy recommendations for the council’s final report, expected later this year.
The meeting will also include a reminder of the State Government Ethics Act, requiring members to disclose any conflicts of interest.
Background: Council Tasked With Building a Regulatory Framework
Governor Stein created the Advisory Council on Cannabis in June 2025, directing it to develop a comprehensive plan to regulate cannabis sales, protect youth, and ensure public safety. The council is also studying:
- Best practices from other states
- Public health impacts
- Agricultural opportunities for North Carolina farmers
- Expungement of simple possession convictions
- Revenue strategies to support addiction treatment, mental health services, and drug‑impaired driving enforcement
The council’s work comes as THC‑containing products — including hemp‑derived intoxicants — remain widely available in retail stores without age restrictions or standardized testing.
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