North Carolina

Unfortunately, it doesn't tell the whole story, as news and as journalism. It's not even good news. The only news that's even slightly okay is that two more Republicans have decided to join the conversation in the NCGA about marijuana laws with this filing of Senate Bill 711, known as the North Carolina Compassionate Care Act.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2021/S711.

The bill's only remotely news worthy item is that the two Republicans (Michael Lee and Bill Rabon) were able to get a Democrat (Paul Lowe) to sign on with them as a sponsor.

All they have done is join the mutitude of voices on the subject. Like throwing another log on the fire, as the saying goes.

I have little doubt that they are partially motivated by the free publicity. The Republicans are also starting to see bigger and bigger dollar signs and want to get a piece of the action as the bill addresses farming and sales with a smidgen of so called "compassionate conservative" sprinkled around the edges.

Republicans haven't joined on any of the other bills up until now. There have been loads of possibilities for them to do so. Several similar bills have been proposed. The Republicans never allow them to come to a vote. Most of the bills have never even been brought to committee for debate. Quashed by the Republicans.

About a week ago two other bills were introduced.The medical marijuana bill is Senate Bill 669. The full legalization bill is Senate Bill 646. Both done by Democrats.

And on April 7th, this happened... Will Doran wrote this article in the News and Observer that's a fantastic, comprehensive read on the subject. Some of the information above was gleened from it.