Roy Cooper on Drugs

Rated B by NORML: decriminalize medical marijuana

NORML Politician Info: rated B
• Candidate: Roy Cooper (D-NC)
  Holds office Governor
• Summary: DECRIMINALIZE/MEDICAL USE
• Position on Marijuana Legalization:
• Gov. Cooper told WXII news he did not think the time was right for the state to consider legalized recreational pot. (2/1/18)
• According to the 2016 Nonpartisan Candidate Guide, on the question of whether or not to legalize marijuana, Cooper expressed the desire "to move slowly and study the impact in states that have legalized it." (10/31/16)
• NC Governor looking into the legality of pardons for simple marijuana charges: "North Carolina should take steps to end this stigma," Cooper said. "Simple possession of a small amount of marijuana should not be a crime."
• Position on Medical Marijuana (The Outer Banks Voice 7/12/2021): An email from a spokesperson for Cooper seemed to position the governor as a clear supporter of legalizing medical marijuana.

Launched state's first Opioid Action Plan in 2017

Opposes legalization of marijuana

Told a local news outlet he doesn't believe the time is right to legalize cannabis. (2018)

Eliminate stigma & encourage opioid addicts to get treatment

In my hometown of Nashville, North Carolina, Police Chief Tom Bashore is working to combat this addiction crisis. Last February, Chief Bashore and the Nashville Police Department launched the "Hope Initiative," the first program in North Carolina encouraging opioid addicts to walk into a police station seeking treatment without fear of arrest.

Recognizing that addiction is a disease, Chief Bashore has engaged with the community to eliminate the stigma surrounding opioid addiction and encourage addicts to seek treatment.

My budget directs mental health and law enforcement funding in a multi-pronged approach to combat the substance abuse crisis. This is an area where we must find common ground to help our friends and neighbors gripped by addiction.

Tackle meth labs by restricting key ingredients