Drug Ban Bill Sent to Governor

Special Report - March 16, 2011
On Tuesday, the North Carolina Senate voted to concur with the House, giving final approval to a bill that adds synthetic marijuana and mephedrone to the state’s list of illegal controlled substances. The bill, SB 7—Add Controlled Substances, faced virtually no opposition in either chamber, and won the Senate’s approval 49-0 in yesterday’s vote. The House approved the bill by a vote of 110-1 on March 10.

The measure, which was modified by a House committee to combine two previously separate bills, SB 7—Ban Mephedrone and SB 9—Make Synthetic Cannabinoids Illegal, seeks to permanently ban the substances, which authorities have deemed highly dangerous. Throughout the committee process, multiple members voiced their full-fledged support of the bill and expressed concerns that, because the substances are currently legal, individuals looking for a “legal high” are mistakenly led to believe that the substances are not dangerous.

The bill puts penalties in place for the “possession, manufacture, sale, or delivery” of the substances and sets punishment on a graduated schedule. Based on the amount in question, individuals can face fines of up to $250,000 and a charge as serious as a Class C Felony.

Related resources:
Weekly Legislative Highlights - March 11, 2011
This Week at the GA - February 11, 2011
Senate Committee Approves Drug Bans - February 4, 2011
Bill To Ban Imposter Marijuana - January 31, 2011
The Dangers of Medical Marajuana - FNC - January/February 2009
Teen Pot Use Linked to Depression and Suicide - May 20, 2008

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