A new bill filed by State Rep. Mary Belk in the North Carolina House seeks to regulate cannabis research and promote scientific study of its medical applications, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 984 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Regulate Research of Medical Cannabis.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill, known as the North Carolina Cannabis Treatment Research Act, regulates the research of cannabis as a treatment for various medical conditions, effective July 1, 2025. It authorizes individuals to possess or use cannabis for research purposes under specific conditions, exempting participants from penalties. The Department of Health and Human Services will maintain a Cannabis Treatment Research database to register research institutions, caregivers, and patients. Registered research institutions may approve cannabis obtained from other jurisdictions and are granted immunity from prosecution for their involvement in cannabis research. The act ensures confidentiality for the identities of caregivers, patients, and institutions. It also outlines the development of standards for the medical use of cannabis and encourages participation in scientific research to explore the potential benefits and applications of different cannabis strains.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Robert T. Reives, II proposed the most bills (37) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Belk graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2006 with a BA.
Belk, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 88th House district, replacing previous state representative Rob Bryan.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Belk, Julia Greenfield, Maria Cervania, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 984 | 04/10/2025 | Regulate Research of Medical Cannabis. |
| Mary Belk, Dante Pittman, Terry M. Brown Jr., and Tim Longest | HB 938 | 04/10/2025 | Right to Repair Digital Electronics Act. |
| Mary Belk, Becky Carney, and Jordan Lopez | HB 998 | 04/10/2025 | Funds for Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. |
| Mary Belk, Becky Carney, Julia Greenfield, and Nasif Majeed | HB 839 | 04/09/2025 | Advanced Teaching Roles Updates. |
| Mary Belk, Beth Helfrich, Brandon Lofton, and Laura Budd | HB 840 | 04/09/2025 | Reward Schools for Student Growth. |
| Mary Belk, Jordan Lopez, Monika Johnson-Hostler, and Nasif Majeed | HB 706 | 04/02/2025 | Change to Needs-Based Capital Funding. |
| Mary Belk, Carolyn G. Logan, Robert T. Reives, II, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 723 | 04/02/2025 | Technology Coalitions Strategic Support Fund. |
| Mary Belk, Carolyn G. Logan, Robert T. Reives, II, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 724 | 04/02/2025 | NC-FACT. |
| Mary Belk, Aisha O. Dew, Marcia Morey, and Pricey Harrison | HB 732 | 04/02/2025 | Common Sense Gun Regulations. |
| Mary Belk, Jordan Lopez, Marcia Morey, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 735 | 04/02/2025 | Modernize STI Transit Funding. |
| Mary Belk, Becky Carney, Maria Cervania, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 752 | 04/02/2025 | Transportation Economic Development Funding. |
| Mary Belk, Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, and Pricey Harrison | HB 686 | 04/01/2025 | Safe Cosmetics Act. |
| Mary Belk, Maria Cervania, Sarah Crawford, and Tracy Clark | HB 624 | 03/31/2025 | Prescription Drug Pricing. |
| Mary Belk, Becky Carney, Carla D. Cunningham, and Donny Lambeth | HB 525 | 03/26/2025 | Reorganize & Fund Rare Disease Adv. Council. |
| Mary Belk, Allison A. Dahle, Gloristine Brown, and Julie von Haefen | HB 510 | 03/25/2025 | Menstrual Equity for All Act. |
| Mary Belk, Becky Carney, Carla D. Cunningham, and Cynthia Ball | HB 495 | 03/24/2025 | Accessing Midwives Act. |
| Mary Belk, Allen Buansi, Becky Carney, and Carla D. Cunningham | HB 460 | 03/19/2025 | Medical Equipment Right to Repair Act. |
| Mary Belk and Nasif Majeed | HB 436 | 03/18/2025 | Counties/Semiannual Assessments. |
| Mary Belk, Cynthia Ball, Marcia Morey, and Pricey Harrison | HB 293 | 03/05/2025 | Marine Life Stewardship Act. |
| Mary Belk, Becky Carney, Donna McDowell White, and Donny Lambeth | HB 297 | 03/05/2025 | Breast Cancer Prevention Imaging Parity. |
| Mary Belk, Deb Butler, Frances Jackson, PhD, and James Roberson | HB 282 | 03/04/2025 | STI Funding/Bicycle/Pedestrian Improv. |
| Mary Belk, Brandon Lofton, Terry M. Brown Jr., and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 265 | 03/03/2025 | SchCalFlex/Char-Meck/CC. |
| Mary Belk, Carolyn G. Logan, and Tim Longest | HB 203 | 02/25/2025 | Home Warranty Act. |
| Mary Belk, Deb Butler, Jordan Lopez, and Phil Rubin | HB 174 | 02/21/2025 | Marriage Equality Act. |
| Mary Belk, Deb Butler, Jordan Lopez, and Phil Rubin | HB 175 | 02/21/2025 | Const. Amend./Marriage Equality. |
| Mary Belk, Dennis Riddell, Harry Warren, and Mark Brody | HB 99 | 02/11/2025 | Reflexologists Right to Work Act. |
