**Why it matters:**
House Majority Leader John Bell of North Carolina says that a Senate-passed medical marijuana legalization bill is unlikely to move forward in the House during this session. However, he believes that the bill will likely be revisited during next year’s session. This update on the status of the bill highlights the ongoing debates and discussions surrounding medical marijuana in the state.
**What they are saying:**
Bell stated that there are still discussions happening regarding the cannabis measure, but unfortunately, there were not enough votes in the House to move the bill forward. He acknowledges the passion on both sides of the issue and the need to find an agreement. House Speaker Tim Moore, who supports the bill, has a policy of only bringing bills to the floor if they have majority support within the GOP caucus. Senator Bill Rabon, the Republican sponsor of the bill, has taken strong actions to push for the reform, including attaching an amendment to an unrelated House measure to make its effective date contingent on the enactment of medical cannabis legalization.
**The big picture:**
The fate of the medical marijuana legalization bill in North Carolina remains uncertain. Despite support from House Speaker Tim Moore and Senator Bill Rabon’s efforts to advance the bill, challenges in gaining enough votes in the House have stalled its progress. The contrasting opinions within the Republican caucus illustrate the divisions on this issue.
**What to watch:**
Observers will need to monitor further developments during next year’s short session to see if the medical marijuana legalization bill gains traction. Whether there will be enough support to advance the bill and address any concerns raised by lawmakers remains to be seen. Additionally, the stance of Governor Roy Cooper, who has indicated support for the bill and broader decriminalization, will be important in shaping the future of medical marijuana in the state.
**My take:**
The article reflects the ongoing complexities and debates surrounding medical marijuana legalization in North Carolina. While it is disappointing that the bill will not advance this session, the fact that the issue remains on the agenda and may be revisited in the future shows that there is still hope for progress. It will be interesting to see if lawmakers can find common ground and address the concerns of those both for and against the bill in order to move it forward. The public support for medical cannabis legalization and Governor Cooper’s endorsement add additional momentum to the push for reform.
