Gov. Stein's cannabis initiative is welcome, overdue

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2 days ago

The North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis will hold its first meeting in July. ()
If ever there was a once controversial issue in modern society that has since become a settled matter, it is the question of cannabis legalization. While there's no doubt that cannabis – that is, marijuana and THC products – raises important public health challenges, it's also clear that this cow is not going back in the barn.
Indeed, with cannabis possession and sales now fully legal for most Americans, it's absurd and unjust that a few states, including North Carolina, still criminalize possession – even for medical purposes.
And it's in light of this simple truth that Gov. Josh Stein's recent decision to establish a new task force on the subject is a welcome and overdue step.
As Stein notes, the current system that criminalizes some products and leaves other similar ones totally unregulated makes no sense.
The bottom line: It's long past time for North Carolina to legalize cannabis. But it's also essential that legalization occur in a way that protects consumers – particularly kids – and public health. Let's hope Stein's task force helps make it happen.
For NC Newsline, I'm Rob Schofield.