Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Greensboro, NC Cannabis Regulations: Personal Cultivation Limits (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Legal status
Fully prohibited statewide
Statute
NCGS 90-95
Felony threshold
Over 1.5 ounces possession
CBD exception
Epilepsy registry only
Local override
Not permitted

Summary

Personal cannabis cultivation is illegal in Greensboro because North Carolina has not legalized medical or recreational marijuana; growing any amount remains a felony or misdemeanor under NCGS 90-95 regardless of city policy.

§ 90-95. Violations; penalties.

(a) Except as authorized by this Article, it is unlawful for any person:

(1) To manufacture, sell or deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver, a controlled substance;

(2) To create, sell or deliver, or possess with intent to sell or deliver, a counterfeit controlled substance;

(3) To possess a controlled substance.

(d) Except as provided in subsections (h) and (i) of this section, any person who violates G.S. 90-95(a)(3) with respect to:

(4) A controlled substance classified in Schedule VI shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, but any sentence of imprisonment imposed must be suspended and the judge may not require at the time of sentencing that the defendant serve a period of imprisonment as a special condition of probation. If the quantity of the controlled substance exceeds one-half of an ounce (avoirdupois) of marijuana or one-twentieth of an ounce (avoirdupois) of the extracted resin of marijuana, commonly known as hashish, the violation shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor. If the quantity of the controlled substance exceeds one and one-half ounces (avoirdupois) of marijuana, or three-twentieths of an ounce (avoirdupois) of the extracted resin of marijuana, commonly known as hashish, or if the controlled substance consists of any quantity of synthetic tetrahydrocannabinols or tetrahydrocannabinols isolated from the resin of marijuana, the violation shall be punishable as a Class I felony.

Source: North Carolina General StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

North Carolina is one of a shrinking number of states with no comprehensive medical or recreational cannabis program. Cultivation of marijuana plants is prohibited statewide under the Controlled Substances Act, NCGS Chapter 90. Penalties scale with plant count and weight: small amounts under 1.5 ounces are typically misdemeanor possession, while cultivation or possession over 1.5 ounces is a felony. The 2014 Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act allows narrow CBD use for intractable epilepsy with neurologist registration. Greensboro cannot authorize cultivation that the state forbids, and local police enforce state law on private property and in rentals alike.

Violations & Fines

Cultivating any cannabis plant exposes residents to misdemeanor or felony charges under NCGS 90-95, asset forfeiture, and potential federal supplementary prosecution depending on quantity and intent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow hemp legally in Greensboro?
Industrial hemp under 0.3 percent THC is legal with NC Department of Agriculture licensing, but the plants are visually identical to marijuana and require careful documentation.
Will North Carolina legalize cannabis soon?
Several medical cannabis bills have passed the NC Senate but stalled in the House; recreational legalization has not advanced significantly through the General Assembly as of 2026.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Greensboro

All Greensboro rules

Compare Greensboro to another location·View the North Carolina cannabis regulations overview

Get notified when Personal Cultivation Limits in Greensboro, NC changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.