1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I need you to vote yes on cannabis legalization with regulation similar to alcohol beverage control systems. This approach protects hemp farmers while creating a safe, regulated market. Hemp farmers in our state have invested in legal operations under federal law, but they're caught in a gray area that threatens their livelihoods. A 2023 national cannabinoid report estimated there were 328,000 hemp industry jobs in North Carolina and over $13 billion in wages, ranking the state sixth nationwide for the number of hemp suppliers. Clear cannabis legalization with proper licensing removes the uncertainty that's crushing these agricultural businesses. An ABC-style framework gives us the regulatory structure we need without reinventing the wheel. Legal cannabis with strong oversight means product testing, age verification, and licensed retailers instead of an unregulated market. States with ABC-type systems have generated significant tax revenue while reducing illegal sales. Hemp farmers get a path to participate in the legal market, and consumers get safety standards. North Carolina produced just over 19% of U.S. hemp in 2023, the report said, with potential sales estimated at over $1.1 billion based on market and population data. The potential state sales tax revenue was estimated at $36 million. This revenue would provide much needed funding to rural counties, and legalization would allow for a strong framework to protect children without harming the farmers or patients who benefit from cannabis for their daily needs. Vote yes on cannabis legalization with ABC-style regulation.