Just days after President Joe Biden announced He would pardon all previous state felonies of simple possession of marijuana and urge governors to do the same. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) has taken steps in that direction.

During a Friday meeting of the Working Group on Racial Justice and Criminal Justice, Cooper raised the issue of marijuana decriminalization and said so It’s time to “end the stigma,” Fox News reported.

Established in June 2020, the task force includes law enforcement officers, attorneys, civil rights activists and state officials. The 24-member panel announced in a 2020 report that lawmakers should make possession of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana a civil offense, not a misdemeanor. However, the General Assembly ignored the task force’s recommendation that

“The General Assembly did not pass your recommendations in this last session, but I believe they should,” Cooper said, adding that a conviction for cannabis possession “can damage people’s records for life and maybe even prevent them from to get a job”.

Currently, North Carolinars caught with more than 1.5 ounces face a felony charge, while possession of more than 0.5 ounces carries up to 45 days in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein supported the governor’s stance on the issue.

“People shouldn’t have federal criminal records for something that’s legal in a growing number of states,” Stein said said last week. “Let’s act and make it right. That means decriminalizing adult use, overturning previous convictions for simple possession, and including strong child protections, no advertising, state-controlled sales, and NC farmer primacy.”

legalization efforts

Meanwhile the state senate approved the NC. Compassionate Care Act in June with bipartisan support 35 to 10. The Bill, co-sponsored by Senator Bill Rabon (R), attempted to approve cannabis with higher THC levels for the treatment of debilitating conditions such as cancer and post-traumatic stress…