Matthews, NC Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)
Key Facts
- Dispensaries
- Illegal statewide
- CBD/Hemp
- Legal - retail zoning
- State Law
- N.C.G.S. 90-95
- UDO
- Standard retail rules
Summary
No cannabis dispensaries operate in Matthews or anywhere in North Carolina. State law prohibits marijuana sales. Hemp/CBD retail is legal and subject to standard commercial zoning in Matthews.
(16) "Marijuana" means all parts of the plant of the genus Cannabis, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin, but shall not include the mature stalks of such plant, fiber produced from such stalks, oil, or cake made from the seeds of such plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of such plant which is incapable of germination.
Full Breakdown
NC has not legalized medical or recreational marijuana, so no dispensary framework exists. Hemp-derived CBD products (under 0.3% Delta-9 THC) legal for retail sale under 2018 Farm Bill and NC Industrial Hemp Program. Matthews zones hemp/CBD stores as general retail in commercial districts via UDO. Contact Matthews at (704) 847-4411 for enforcement.
Violations & Fines
Operating a marijuana dispensary: felony drug trafficking under N.C.G.S. 90-95(h). Unlicensed hemp operations: NCDA civil penalties plus potential criminal charges.
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Matthews
Compare Matthews to another location·View the North Carolina cannabis regulations overview
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Dispensary Zoning in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle dispensary zoning.