Cannabis Regulations in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
2 verified cannabis regulations for Chapel Hill, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Home Cultivation
North Carolina has no medical or recreational cannabis program and Chapel Hill follows state law. Cultivating any amount of marijuana is a felony under NCGS 90-95: cultivation of under 10 pounds is a Class I felony punishable by 3 to 8 months imprisonment for a first offense; 10 pounds or more but less than 50 pounds is a Class H felony; 50 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds is a Class G felony. Home cultivation is therefore prohibited for residents of Chapel Hill regardless of personal-use claims or out-of-state medical cards. Governor's Executive Order 16 (2025) established an Advisory Council on cannabis policy, and H 413 (2025) is pending in the General Assembly, but as of May 2026 no legal home cultivation pathway exists.
Home Cannabis Cultivation in Chapel Hill
Heavy RestrictionsDispensary Zoning
Chapel Hill has no cannabis dispensary zoning because North Carolina has no medical or recreational cannabis program for the Town to license or zone. There are no licensed dispensaries anywhere in North Carolina (except a single tribal dispensary on the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians' Qualla Boundary, which operates under tribal sovereignty and is not subject to Chapel Hill or NC zoning). Operating an unlicensed cannabis storefront in Chapel Hill would violate NCGS 90-95 felony provisions plus federal Controlled Substances Act 21 U.S.C. 841. The Chapel Hill LUMO contains no cannabis cultivation, processing, or retail use category.
Cannabis Dispensary Zoning in Chapel Hill
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chapel Hill city rules.
Cannabis Regulations in Orange County →