Recommending Cannabis in North Carolina

The law applies to clinicians that are state licensed and certified neurologists affiliated with a state-licensed hospital.  On a case-by-case basis, neurologists may recommend or approve the use of non-psychoactive hemp extracts acquired by a registered caregiver from another jurisdiction for the treatment of patients that have not responded to three or more treatment options overseen by the neurologist. Under North Carolina law, neurologists meeting these criteria are exempt from all criminal and civil penalties related to recommending the use of cannabis extracts.

In order to register with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (“DHHS”), the patient’s caregiver will need a written statement from the neurologist stating:

1. the patient has been examined and is under the neurologist’s care,
2. the patient suffers from intractable epilepsy (epilepsy that has not responded to three or more treatments), and
3. the patient may benefit from treatment with hemp extract.

The neurologist’s name, address, and hospital affiliation must be provided to DHHS by the registering caregiver, and DHHS is required to treat this information as confidential.

Recommending Clinicians

• Must be board certified in neurology
• Must be licensed to practice medicine in North Carolina
• Must be affiliated with a state-licensed hospital
• Must have recommended three or more treatment options that the patient did not respond to
• Must provide the written statement described above to the patient’s caregiver