Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 875: No Firearm Possession After DV Misdemeanors.

This North Carolina bill prohibits individuals convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses from purchasing or possessing firearms, machine guns, ammunition, or related permits. It expands the definition of domestic violence to include crimes committed against intimate partners, dating partners, and other individuals in similar relationships, not just spouses or parents. The legislation also allocates one million dollars to the state's Domestic Violence Commission to create an educational program on domestic violence. These provisions will take effect on December 1, 2026, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by prohibiting firearm possession for misdemeanor domestic violence offenders, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1108: Constitutional Amendment/Permitless Carry.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment in North Carolina to allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms openly or concealed without needing a permit. The change would apply to any U.S. citizen who has not been convicted of a violent crime or drug offense and has not been declared mentally incompetent, unless they are on property that is legally posted against carrying weapons. While the amendment removes the requirement for a permit, it states that a permit system will still be maintained to help with reciprocity with other states and to facilitate purchasing weapons. The bill does not take effect immediately but must be approved by voters in a referendum scheduled for the November 3, 2026, general election.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes permitless carry for law-abiding citizens, aligning with criminal justice reform efforts to reduce barriers to self-defense and protect civil rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1072: Constitutional Amendments - Cannabis.

This bill proposes two separate constitutional amendments to North Carolina that would legalize the possession of limited amounts of cannabis for personal use and for medical purposes by patients with qualifying conditions. If passed by voters in the November 2026 election, these changes would remove criminal penalties for these specific activities while requiring the state legislature to create detailed laws governing their implementation. The amendments do not take effect immediately upon passage by the General Assembly but instead go directly to the public for a vote, with the results determining whether the new rules become part of the state constitution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes criminal penalties for cannabis possession, directly advancing criminal justice reform and reducing the scope of criminalization.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill legalizes cannabis for medical purposes, expanding patient access to alternative medicine and protecting patient rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1186: Equipping Law Enforcement for Better Drug Detection.

HB 1186 directs the North Carolina Collaboratory to create a pilot program that provides participating law enforcement agencies with new, more accurate drug-detecting technology to replace traditional color-based field tests. The bill requires these new devices to be portable, avoid relying on visual color changes for identification, and generate digital records for auditing and tracking emerging substances. Additionally, the program must conduct a comprehensive study to measure the technology's impact on case outcomes, officer safety, and the accuracy of drug testing across different communities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances law enforcement capabilities with accurate technology, improving drug detection and reducing false positives, which supports effective criminal justice operations.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds and mandates the adoption of advanced digital drug-detection technology, generating digital records for auditing and tracking.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 937: Marijuana and Vapor Products Reform.

This bill modifies North Carolina's marijuana laws by removing criminal penalties for possessing five grams or less of the substance and updating the state's definition of hemp to align with federal standards. It simultaneously increases penalties for manufacturing and selling marijuana and raises the minimum age for purchasing tobacco, vapor, and consumable products. The legislation also imposes higher excise taxes on vapor products and marijuana, expands the jurisdiction of alcohol law enforcement agencies to include these new categories, and allocates funds for evidence storage and disposal. Additionally, it introduces administrative changes to the vapor products directory to improve regulatory oversight.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill removes criminal penalties for minor marijuana possession, directly reducing criminalization and advancing criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1011: NC Compassionate Care Act.

The "North Carolina Compassionate Care Act" (HB 1011) seeks to legalize the medical use of cannabis for individuals diagnosed with specific debilitating medical conditions. The bill establishes a system where qualified patients, certified by a physician, and their designated caregivers can obtain registry identification cards from the Department of Health and Human Services. It outlines a list of qualifying debilitating conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, and PTSD. This legislation also details the creation of a regulated system for the cultivation, processing, and dispensing of medical cannabis through licensed facilities. Its intent is to protect patients and their doctors from criminal and civil penalties related to the medical use of cannabis.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLegalizes medical cannabis, reducing criminal penalties for qualifying patients under controlled substances laws, aligning with criminal justice reform by decreasing unnecessary criminalization.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLegalizes medical cannabis access for qualifying conditions like cancer and PTSD, expanding patient treatment options under healthcare services and public health frameworks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 409: Ban Ghost Guns and Undetectable Firearms.

SB 409 bans the sale, possession, and transfer of "ghost guns" (unserialized firearms like homemade kits) and "undetectable firearms" (e.g., plastic guns or those avoiding metal detectors). It directly affects most North Carolinians, including gun owners and sellers, with exceptions only for federally licensed firearm manufacturers under ATF rules. The law imposes Class I felony penalties for violations and takes effect December 1, 2025. Key provisions define prohibited items based on federal standards and prohibit all non-licensed activity involving them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans untraceable firearms to enhance law enforcement capabilities and public safety, directly supporting criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 545: Ban Ghost Guns and Undetectable Firearms.

HB 545 bans the sale, possession, or transfer of "ghost guns" (unserialized firearms lacking a manufacturer's serial number) and "undetectable firearms" (like plastic or 3D-printed guns that evade metal detectors). It directly affects individuals and businesses that manufacture, sell, or possess these weapons, except for federally licensed firearm manufacturers under ATF rules. The law defines undetectable firearms as those failing airport-style metal detector scans or being made entirely of non-metal materials. Violations carry Class I felony penalties, and the bill takes effect December 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBans untraceable firearms (ghost guns/undetectable weapons), enhancing public safety and law enforcement capabilities by preventing criminal access to evade detection, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 784: Prohibit Assault Weapons.

HB 784 prohibits the manufacture, transfer, and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (like AR-15s) and large-capacity ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds in North Carolina, effective December 1, 2025. The bill defines specific firearms and features (e.g., folding stocks, pistol grips) that classify weapons as "assault weapons," while setting a 10-round limit for magazines. Exceptions include existing owners of such weapons before the law’s effective date, law enforcement, antique firearms, and weapons that cannot accept large magazines. Violations are punishable as a Class E felony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits assault weapons linked to violent crimes, aligning with public safety goals under criminal justice reform as defined in the topic.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Violent Crime

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 20, 2025

SB 346: Good Samaritan Law/Immunity.

This North Carolina bill (SB 346) provides limited legal immunity for people who seek medical help during drug or alcohol overdoses. It protects individuals from minor charges (like possession of less than 1 gram of drugs or underage alcohol consumption) if they call 911 or assist others in calling for overdose emergencies, provided they act in good faith, provide their name, and weren’t seeking help during an active arrest. The immunity also extends to the overdose victim themselves and prevents probation/parole revocation for these covered offenses. The law applies to acts occurring on or after October 1, 2025, and does not affect evidence collection for other crimes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides immunity from minor drug/alcohol charges for seeking overdose help, reducing unnecessary criminalization and aligning with public health-focused criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides legal immunity for seeking medical help during overdoses, removing barriers to emergency care access and promoting public health intervention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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