Anyone here from north or south carolina? Looking for info on which state is better or more forgiving. About to land a job there and could live in either state since I will be close to the state line. This would be a determining factor on where I live since I could drive into SC. Growing is a hobby but looking at which state is more accepting.
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When comparing and contrasting cannabis laws in North Carolina and South Carolina, it’s clear that both states currently maintain strict regulations regarding marijuana, although there are some subtle differences in their approaches to cannabis and hemp products.
North Carolina:
- Illegality: Marijuana remains illegal for both medical and recreational use throughout the state.
- Decriminalization: Possession of small amounts (up to 0.5 ounces) is considered a Class 3 misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $200 and no jail time for a first offense. This means while not legal, possession of small amounts is decriminalized to some extent.
- Hemp and CBD: Hemp-derived CBD products are legal, provided they contain less than 0.3% THC. However, patients with intractable epilepsy may use hemp extracts with up to 0.9% THC and at least 5% CBD, with a doctor’s recommendation and registration with the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, on their tribal lands within North Carolina, has legalized both medical and recreational cannabis use for adults 21 and over.
- Medical Cannabis Efforts: Several bills to establish a medical cannabis program have been introduced and gained support in the Senate, but have failed to pass the House.
South Carolina:
- Illegality: Marijuana remains illegal for all purposes, including medical and recreational use.
- Limited Medical Use: The state has approved limited use of CBD oil with a doctor’s approval for certain medical conditions, primarily severe epilepsy. This restricted use requires a doctor’s certification and the product must contain no more than 0.9% THC and at least 15% CBD.
- Strict Possession Penalties: Possession of any amount of marijuana is considered a criminal offense, even for a first offense, which can result in fines and/or jail time.
- Hemp and CBD: Hemp and hemp-derived CBD products are legal, but must adhere to the 0.3% THC limit.
- Ongoing Legalization Efforts: There have been attempts to legalize medical marijuana through bills like the Compassionate Care Act, but they have faced setbacks in the legislative process.
Key Differences Summarized:
| Feature | North Carolina | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Marijuana Legality | Illegal for both recreational and medical use (except on tribal land) | Illegal for both recreational and medical use. |
| Decriminalization | Possession of small amounts (up to 0.5 ounces) is a non-jailable misdemeanor. | Simple possession of any amount is a criminal offense. |
| Hemp-derived CBD | Legal, with a 0.3% THC limit; exception for specific epilepsy patients (up to 0.9% THC). | Legal, with a 0.3% THC limit; restricted medical use for certain epilepsy patients (up to 0.9% THC, at least 15% CBD). |
| Medical Marijuana | Efforts to legalize have been ongoing but unsuccessful to date. Limited use of CBD for epilepsy patients. | Only limited use of low-THC CBD oil for severe epilepsy patients with a doctor’s recommendation. |
In conclusion, both North Carolina and South Carolina maintain strong restrictions on marijuana, with South Carolina having more stringent penalties for possession. While both allow hemp-derived CBD within legal limits, North Carolina offers a specific, though limited, allowance for higher THC CBD for certain epilepsy patients, while South Carolina’s medical cannabis framework remains very restrictive. Legislation regarding cannabis continues to evolve in both states, with ongoing debates and proposals for medical and/or recreational legalization.
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I used AI for this overview.
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I lived near the border, in the South Carolina Upstate region, just outside of Greenville. I was there from 2017 to 2023. A really beautiful area, but quite repressive. IMO, neither state will allow home grow in the foreseeable future.
I grew in and out every year, regardless. I have never been a legal grower, and I moved back to Florida because I missed growing outdoors in the winters. Fl will likely deny the freedom to grow as well, but, I like the fishing and weather better.
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They both suck in terms of cannabis but great scenery with mountains and beaches. Obviously Asheville is pretty open-minded along with Charleston but overall not exactly welcoming us Mary Jane fans with open arms. I live a couple of states away in the deep South and it’s always the same damn story with who’s running the state government… Just a bunch of turds that won’t flush properly. Regardless I’m going to still grow my own medicine and they can f*** off
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Yeah i think we both in bama now.
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Sadly they are typical greedy politicians but highly ignorant and can’t seem to understand that allowing sports gambling the lottery and most importantly recreational cannabis would bring a s*** ton of money for education infrastructure and so on. They are too busy kissing certain people’s asses in Washington to actually give a damn about this state and it’s citizens.
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I think it’s really just about keeping it on the low. I’ve lived in NC my whole life. I love the state and the people, hate the politics. There are plenty of like minded folk. Plenty that will send you to hell in a hand basket, but really, that goes for a lot of places. In my opinion, you can’t beat having some land. It pretty much takes care of your worries. Good luck!
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Thanks Gromies for the input!!! Guess if I end up there it will be on the low.
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Where are you looking at? Calyx gave a pretty good overview, SC is probably in that group of states that will only change if/when it becomes rescheduled and decriminalized federally. I lived in Charlotte and then Asheville for many years. Spent a lot of time with work down in Greenville and upstate SC.
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I would be in the Charolette area.
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It’s been a very long time since I paid attention to home values, but quite a few people I knew lived in the Rock Hill area and commuted to Charlotte for work. You could get way more home per sq foot. I wouldn’t be shocked if that has changed, as it seems the area has really been built up. If school systems matter to you, NC will probably be the better choice.
We lived in Matthews and loved that area. I’ve bounced around a bit with my career and my whole family liked NC the best.
Tourism and cost of living in Asheville has really changed that city the past 20 years, resulting in a huge number of the people that made it an amazing place having to move away. Nobody is getting hassled about cannabis there, almost everyone in my neighborhood smoked and a few grew. It seems the Cherokee have been pretty successful with their legalization and none of the cops mess with people driving in and out of their area, which is a relief.
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be careful there. i lived in gastonia decades ago and then bessemer city. now that place was not fun at all. i brought a friend home from work after the shift ended to have some beer. that’s when i learned that black folks weren’t allowed in that part of town. i left shortly thereafter. it is probably better now, that was in the early '90s, but damn. probably expensive as hell now too. i’d go a little further south if i had to choose again, but it probably isn’t much different anyway, even if it is better these days than it was then.
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I think that may have just been the 90’s. I admit I hated living here when I was younger. I was ran out of a small country store for just having two ear rings and multicolored hair.
Things have changed quite a bit. I think we’re still much more integrated and okay with that than many other parts of the country.
We just happen to be in very racist times again, as a country. And that noise can fuck all the way off.
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I hope it was grannie from the Beverly hillbillies with a broom but somehow have doubts. 
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More Boss Hog than Grannie, and multiple hogs at that. One of those stores you could buy some homemade shine at while still being in a dry county.
I also remember a time where KKK signs were your greeting in and out of certain counties. Glad things are changing, even if slowly.
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they’re not really changing, just morphing into something else, evolving if you will. the attitude was starting to go away until suddenly (wish i could think of a reason for the change) it started to creep back out into the open. i cannot for the life of me figure out why that happened…
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Orange clown?
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Hey! I’m trying to be optimistic over here! 
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I live just south of CLT in SC. NC to me is similar to political California, lots of conservatives who live in the country or burbs, but the major cities are Demorat, so this is what happens in the political arena. As far as racism is concerned, I never see it and have many ethnic friends, we always joke about the BS that is spread though media. Lived just south east of the city for 20 years.
I reside now in SC just southwest of CLT. I like my lower taxes, and the area better as it is more country/suburbia. Been doing my thing for a couple years now incognito. They do have it on the ballot this year for medicinal, but not rec yet.
NC is talking about it (REC), but wants it right, not having to go back and readjust. According to their lu
tenent. Governor he stated they just want to make sure they cover the issues other states have either messed up on or over looked (whatever that means). Anyway if NC passes it, SC will be right behind a they always seem to work in tandem on who is first and who is next. As long as you keep it quiet you should be fine, there are many tokers here! Here’s this years outdoor first with autos. Another 35 days or so to go.
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Nice input. That does sound promising.
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