The U.S. federal government currently classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug, comparable in danger to heroin and methamphetamine. The government also took out a patent out on CBD, the key medical chemical in marijuana, even though they do not consider it to have any medical value. In addition, legal tax stamps for this illegal controlled substance are required and punishable by law if the stamps are not attached to the product. More than 50 percent of Americans feel marijuana should be legalized for medical and recreational use, and states such as Colorado and Washington have fully legalized it. As other states attempt to follow in their foot steps, North Carolina sits far down on the list. Many think N.C. will be one of the last states to legalize the plant, but people all around the state are taking a stand. Many citizens of Asheville are pro legalization, but in the surrounding areas, such as Fletcher, people think marijuana legalization will be detrimental to society. As groups such as NORML, the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws, and the NCCPN, the North Carolina Cannabis Patients Network, attempt to dissolve misinformation about marijuana, law enforcement officers still do not believe legalizing the plant is the way to go. Members of the general assembly have struck down marijuana legislation and doctors are still not comfortable prescribing the drug, especially to children. It will be interesting to see how the future of legalization play out in N.C.
