Marijuana is a Schedule VI substance under the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-94 Web Search

Possession for Personal Use

Possession of 0.5 ounces or less of marijuana is a Class 3 misdemeanor and a maximum fine of $200. Any sentence of imprisonment imposed for this offense must be suspended. Possession of more than 0.5 to 1.5 ounces is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by 1 to 45 days imprisonment and a discretionary fine for a first offense, and maximum fine of $1000. Possession of over 1 and a half ounces but less than or equal to 10 pounds is a Class I felony punishable by 3 to 8 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for a first offense.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.23 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(d)(4) Web Search

Possession with Intent to Distribute

Possession with intent to distribute less than 10 pounds of marijuana is a class I felony punishable by 3 to 8 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for a first offense.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(b)(2) Web Search

Possession of more than 10 pounds but less than 50 pounds is a Class H felony punishable by a minimum of 25 months and maximum of 39 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $5,000. Possession of 50 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds is a Class G felony punishable by a minimum of 35 months and maximum of 51 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $25,000. Possession of 2,000 pounds or more but less than 10,000 pounds is a Class F felony punishable by a minimum of 70 months and maximum of 93 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $50,000. Possession of 10,000 pounds or more of marijuana is a Class D felony punishable by a minimum of 175 months and maximum of 222 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $200,000.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(h) Web Search

Sale/Delivery

Delivery of less than 5 grams of marijuana for no compensation is not considered sale or delivery, but may still be prosecuted as possession. Sale of less than 10 pounds of marijuana is a Class H felony punishable by 4 to 8 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for the first offense. Delivery without compensation of less than 10 pounds is a Class I felony punishable by 3 to 8 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for a first offense.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(a)(2) Web Search

Sale or delivery of 10 pounds or more but less than 50 pounds is a Class H felony punishable by a minimum of 25 months and maximum of 30 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $5,000. Sale or delivery of 50 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds is a Class G felony punishable by a minimum of 35 months and maximum of 42 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $25,000. Sale or delivery of 2,000 pounds or more but less than 10,000 pounds is a Class F felony punishable by a minimum of 70 months and maximum of 80 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $50,000. Sale or delivery of 10,000 pounds or more of marijuana is a Class D felony punishable by a minimum of 175 months and maximum of 219 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $200,000.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(h) Web Search

Cultivation

Cultivation of less than 10 pounds of marijuana is a class I felony punishable by 3 to 8 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for a first offense.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(a)(2) Web Search

Cultivation of 10 pounds or more but less than 50 pounds is a Class H felony punishable by a minimum of 25 months and maximum of 30 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $5,000. Cultivation of 50 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds is a Class G felony punishable by a minimum of 35 months and maximum of 42 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $25,000. Cultivation of 2,000 pounds or more but less than 10,000 pounds is a Class F felony punishable by a minimum of 70 months and maximum of 80 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $50,000. Cultivation of 10,000 pounds or more of marijuana is a Class D felony punishable by a minimum of 175 months and maximum of 219 months imprisonment and a fine of at least $200,000.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(h) Web Search

Hash & Concentrates

Possession of an extract of marijuana resin, commonly referred to as hashish, is a crime in North Carolina. Possession of .05 ounces or less (~1.4 grams) is a Class 3 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a $200 fine and a 1-10 day sentence that must be suspended. Possession of more than .05 ounces (~1.4 grams) but less than .15 ounces (~4.25 grams) is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine determined at the discretion of the court and a 1-45 day sentence. Possession of an amount greater than .15 ounce (~4.25 grams) is a Class I felony which has a presumptive sentence of 4-6 months and a discretionary fine may also be assessed by the court.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. §90-95(d)(4) Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. §15A-1340.17(b) Web Search

Paraphernalia

Use, possession, sale, delivery, or manufacture of paraphernalia is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by 1 to 45 days imprisonment and a discretionary fine for a first offense. Delivery of paraphernalia by a person aged 18 years or older to a person under the age of 18 who is at least 3 years younger is a Class I felony punishable by 3 to 8 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for a first offense.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.23 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. §§ 90-113.22 to 113.23 Web Search

Sentencing

If a person has a previous controlled substance violation and commits a Class 1 misdemeanor, he will be punished as a Class I felon. If a person has a previous controlled substance violation and commits a Class 2 misdemeanor, he will be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. If a person has a previous controlled substance violation and commits an offense that requires any sentence of imprisonment be suspended, he is guilty of Class 2 misdemeanor.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. §§ 90-95(e)(3)-(4), (7) Web Search

First time misdemeanor marijuana proceedings may be suspended and the offender placed on probation. The probation must include drug education, unless certain circumstances apply. Upon successful completion of the terms of probation, the charges will be dismissed and the individual discharged.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-96 Web Search

A person convicted of a marijuana possession, cultivation, or sale/delivery offense may be eligible for probation if they are not sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment allowed for that offense. This may include a requirement to attend treatment. This probation cannot last longer than 5 years.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(f) Web Search

Forfeiture

Vehicles and other property may be seized for controlled substance violations. Seized property is not subject to be returned to the owner unless he can prove in a forfeiture proceeding that he is the owner and was unaware that it was being used in the violation.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. §§ 90-122 to 112.1 Web Search

Miscellaneous

Sale or delivery to a minor or pregnant women

Sale or delivery by a person aged 18 years or older to a person between 14-15 years of age or to a pregnant woman of any age is a Class D felony punishable by 38 to 80 months imprisonment and a fine to be set by the discretion of the court for the first offense. Sale or delivery by a person aged 18 years or older to a person 13 years of age or younger is a Class C felony punishable by 44 to 92 months imprisonment and a fine to be set by the discretion of the court for the first offense.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(e)(5) Web Search

Employing a minor in a drug offense

A person aged 18-20 years who uses a minor in the sale, delivery, or cultivation of marijuana is guilty of a Class G felony if the minor is 14-17 years old, punishable by 8 to 16 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for the first offense, and a Class F felony if the minor is 13 years of age or younger, punishable by 10 to 20 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for the first offense. A person aged 21 years or older who uses a minor in the sale, delivery, or cultivation of marijuana is guilty of a Class E felony if the minor is 14-17 years old, punishable by 15 to 31 months imprisonment and a fine to be set by the discretion of the court for the first offense, and a Class D felony if the minor is 13 years of age or younger, punishable by 38 to 80 months imprisonment and a fine to be set by the discretion of the court for the first offense. A person aged 21 years or older who uses a minor in a drug offense may be liable for civil damages for drug addiction.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95.4 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95.5 Web Search

Promoting drug sales by a minor

Any person aged 21 years or older who entices, encourages, forces, or supports a minor in selling, delivering, or cultivating marijuana is guilty of a Class D felony punishable by 38 to 80 months imprisonment and a fine to be set by the discretion of the court for the first offense.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95.6 Web Search

Participating in a drug violation by a minor

Any person aged 21 years or older who purchases marijuana from a minor 13 years or younger is guilty of a Class G felony punishable by 8 to 16 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for the first offense.

See

• N.C. Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95.7 Web Search

Sale or delivery on school grounds

Sale or delivery in or within 1,000 feet of school, child care center, or park grounds is class E felony punishable by 15 to 31 months imprisonment and a fine to be set by the discretion of the court for the first offense. Delivery of less than 5 grams of marijuana for no compensation is not considered delivery, but still may be prosecuted for possession.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. §§ 90-95(e)(8), (10) Web Search

Possession in a penal institution

Possession of any amount of marijuana in a penal institution or local confinement facility is a Class H felony punishable by 4 to 8 months imprisonment and a discretionary fine for the first offense.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1340.17 Web Search
• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95(e)(9) Web Search

Reimbursement for undercover marijuana purchases

When a person is convicted of a marijuana offense, the court may order him to reimburse the law enforcement agency for money spent in purchasing marijuana as part of an undercover operation.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 90-95.3 Web Search

Driver's license forfeiture

Any time an individual is convicted of a felony offense and is given probation, they are to have their license forfeited.

See

• North Carolina Gen Stat. § 15A-1331A Web Search

 

CONDITIONAL RELEASE

The state allows conditional release or alternative or diversion sentencing for people facing their first prosecutions. Usually, conditional release lets a person opt for probation rather than trial. After successfully completing probation, the individual's criminal record does not reflect the charge.

DECRIMINALIZATION

The state has decriminalized marijuana to some degree. Typically, decriminalization means no prison time or criminal record for first-time possession of a small amount for personal consumption. The conduct is treated like a minor traffic violation.

HEMP

This state has an active hemp industry or has authorized research. Hemp is a distinct variety of the plant species cannabis sativa L. that contains minimal (less than 1%) amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Various parts of the plant can be utilized in the making of textiles, paper, paints, clothing, plastics, cosmetics, foodstuffs, insulation, animal feed, and other products. For more information see NORML's Industrial Use section.

MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCE

When someone is convicted of an offense punishable by a mandatory minimum sentence, the judge must sentence the defendant to the mandatory minimum sentence or to a higher sentence. The judge has no power to sentence the defendant to less time than the mandatory minimum. A prisoner serving an MMS for a federal offense and for most state offenses will not be eligible for parole. Even peaceful marijuana smokers sentenced to "life MMS" must serve a life sentence with no chance of parole.

MEDICAL CBD

This state has passed a medical CBD law allowing for the use of cannabis extracts that are high in CBD and low in THC to treat severe, debilitating epileptic conditions.

TAX STAMPS

 

This state has a marijuana tax stamp law enacted. This law mandates that those who possess marijuana are legally required to purchase and affix state-issued stamps onto his or her contraband. Failure to do so may result in a fine and/or criminal sanction. For more information, see NORML's report Marijuana Tax Stamp Laws And Penalties.

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 North Carolina Marijuana Arrests 

 

North Carolina	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	ARC
Possession	24,700	23,542	21,390	25,338	22,931	-1.8%
Sales	2,976	3,128	3,419	3,317	3,502	4.2%
Total	27,676	26,670	24,809	28,655	26,433	-1.1%

ARC: Annual Rate of Change

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reporting Program