Rep. Reives files bill in North Carolina House to regulate cannabis treatment research

A new bill filed by State Rep. Robert T. Reives, II seeks to regulate cannabis research as a treatment for medical conditions and establish a related research database, 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, Reives 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.

Reives graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 with a BA and again in 1995 from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a JD.

Reives, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2014 to represent the state’s 54th House district, replacing previous state representative Deb McManus.