Who is the new NC House Speaker?

Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), formerly Rules chair, became Speaker in January 2025 after Tim Moore departed for Congress (NC-14). Rep. John Bell is now House Rules chair. Hall told the News & Observer in March 2025 that "House Republicans could be more open to what the Senate sends over to them."

What is the NC Advisory Council on Cannabis?

Gov. Josh Stein established the NC Advisory Council on Cannabis (up to 30 members) by Executive Order No. 16 on June 3, 2025. Co-chairs are State Health Director Dr. Lawrence H. Greenblatt and Robeson County DA Matt Scott. Members include Sens. Bill Rabon (R) and Kandie Smith (D), Reps. John Bell (R) and Zack Hawkins (D), and Qualla Enterprises GM Forrest Parker.

What did the council's April 2026 interim report recommend?

The April 2, 2026 interim report found NC has the second-largest unregulated cannabis market in the U.S. (~$3.2 billion in 2023) and recommended full adult-use legalization with regulated retail to adults 21+. Gov. Stein endorsed the recommendation. Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger had not publicly responded as of WRAL's coverage. The final report is due December 2026.

How much do NC voters support cannabis reform?

Meredith College polling (February 2025) found 71% support for medical cannabis, with majorities across all party and demographic subgroups except those 80+. Elon University polling in 2022 found 82% support for medical and 62% support for adult-use. Public opinion has been steadily, lopsidedly pro-medical for years.

Did the 2024 elections change the NC House math?

Yes. The November 2024 elections reduced the Republican supermajority margin by one seat. The arithmetic effect on the "majority of the majority" caucus threshold is small but real: one fewer Republican vote is needed to advance a bill under that informal practice.

NC Cannabis 2026 Outlook — Stein, Hall, Council, Polling

Legal Disclaimer: This information reflects North Carolina cannabis law as of April 2026 and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change — always verify current rules with the EBCI Cannabis Control Board or a qualified attorney. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

Last verified: April 2026

Speaker Change — Moore to Hall

Former Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) departed the General Assembly for Congress (NC-14) in January 2025. The new Speaker is Destin Hall (R-Caldwell), who previously chaired House Rules. The new House Rules chair is Rep. John Bell.

Speaker Hall told the News & Observer in March 2025:

House Republicans could be more open to what the Senate sends over to them.
NC House Speaker Destin Hall, News & Observer (March 2025)

The comment is consistent with the same procedural reality — that the chokepoint is the GOP caucus rather than chamber-wide support — while leaving room for a different posture on what the caucus will tolerate. See the overview for the “majority of the majority” rule.

Caucus Math — One Seat Tighter

The November 2024 elections dropped the House Republican supermajority margin by one seat. The arithmetic is small but real: the GOP caucus threshold required to advance a bill under “majority of the majority” logic is correspondingly one vote lower. For a bill that historically fell short of internal caucus majority by single digits, that margin matters.

Gov. Stein’s Executive Order No. 16

Gov. Josh Stein (D, sworn in January 1, 2025; former Attorney General and TREC co-chair) issued Executive Order No. 16 on June 3, 2025, creating the NC Advisory Council on Cannabis (max 30 members).

Council membership

Co-chairs:
- Dr. Lawrence H. Greenblatt, State Health Director.
- Matt Scott, District Attorney for Robeson County.
Senate members include: Sen. Bill Rabon (R), Sen. Kandie Smith (D).
House members include: Rep. John Bell (R), Rep. Zack Hawkins (D).
Tribal/industry seat: Forrest Parker, GM, Qualla Enterprises (the EBCI cannabis enterprise — see Great Smoky Cannabis Co.).

The April 2, 2026 Interim Report

The council’s April 2, 2026 interim report made several findings and one headline recommendation:

Finding: NC has the second-largest unregulated cannabis market in the U.S., estimated at ~$3.2 billion in 2023.
Recommendation: Full adult-use legalization with regulated retail to adults 21+.

Gov. Stein endorsed the recommendation. As of WRAL’s coverage, Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger had not publicly responded. The final report is due December 2026.

This sequence creates a forced inflection point: a Democratic governor with an executive-order-backed advisory council formally on record recommending adult-use, ahead of the 2026 short session and 2027–28 long session.

Public Opinion Has Been Lopsided for Years

Meredith College Poll, February 2025: 71% support for medical cannabis. Majority support across all party and demographic subgroups except those 80+.
Elon University polling, 2022: 82% support for medical cannabis; 62% support for adult-use.

Public opinion is not the constraint. The constraint is internal caucus dynamics. See the overview for the “majority of the majority” rule explaining the disconnect.

Three Plausible Tracks for 2026–27

Medical-only revival. A Senate Republican refiles a CCA-style bill in 2026 short session or 2027 long session. Hall permits a House floor vote. This is the politically safest track but has stalled three times.
Adult-use vehicle, post-Council. The December 2026 final report becomes the basis for legislation in 2027–28. This requires Republican leadership willingness that has not yet been signaled.
Continued status quo. Hemp regulation tightens (or doesn’t), the federal Nov 12, 2026 hemp cliff (P.L. 119-37) reshapes the market, and NC remains formally prohibitionist with the Cherokee channel as the only legal retail outlet.

NC Cannabis 2026 Outlook