Marijuana Policy Project

It was standing room only for a crowd listening to a debate on whether marijuana should be legalized in North Carolina for medicinal purposes.

"Marijuana has less side effects than other drugs that citizens throughout this country use regularly," the bill's sponsor, Representative Earl Jones, said.

House Bill 1380 would legalize marijuana in the state of North Carolina for people who use it for medicinal purposes.

The drug would remain in a smoking form and be provided by the federal government, Jones said.

He estimates revenues for the state would total more than $60 million annually.

Thirteen states already have laws on the books legalizing the use of medicinal marijuana.

Under the bill, in North Carolina growers and distributors of marijuana would both be taxed.

There are also restrictions that come with the bill.

Users can't operate machinery while under the influence.

There would be no smoking allowed in a public place or anywhere else smoking is prohibited.

The bill also does not require an insurance company to cover the drug.

Supporters know the bill faces an uphill battle.

"(Marijuana) has got a huge (public relations) problem," Ben Scales, the author of the bill, said. "People who are open about their marijuana use are usually tie dyed hippies."

The bill provides for the drug to be legally smoked as long as there is a doctor's order, but advocates will have to convince concerned citizens the drug will remain in the right hands.

"Marijuana has great benefits in alleviating pain and what have you," said citizen John Lamazon. "The problem is them being able to control it."

Unless lawmakers can be convinced the law is necessary, medical patients may not be able to light up.

Representative jones hopes the health committee will vote on the bill next week.

Even if it passes the bill will have to go through two more committees before the full house will vote on it.