Home Cultivation: Cary vs Raleigh
How do home cultivation rules compare between Cary, NC and Raleigh, NC?
Cary and Raleigh have similar restriction levels.
Cary, NC
Wake County
Home cultivation of marijuana is illegal in Wake County and statewide. Under NCGS §90-95(a)(1) it is unlawful to manufacture (which includes cultivation) any controlled substance, and marijuana is a Schedule VI substance. Cultivating less than 10 pounds is a Class I felony under §90-95(b)(2); 10 pounds to less than 50 lbs is a Class H felony; and 50 lbs to less than 2,000 lbs is a Class G felony.
View full Cary rules →Raleigh, NC
Wake County
Cannabis cultivation is illegal in North Carolina for any purpose. North Carolina has not legalized recreational or medical marijuana, so growing cannabis plants at home in Raleigh is a criminal offense under state law. Possession of marijuana remains illegal, and cultivation can result in felony charges depending on the quantity of plants.
View full Raleigh rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cary | Raleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Legal plant count | Zero | - |
| Under 10 lbs | Class I felony | - |
| 10-50 lbs | Class H felony ($5,000 min) | - |
| 50-2,000 lbs | Class G felony ($25,000 min) | - |
| Authority | NCGS §§90-95(a)(1), 90-95(b)(2) | - |
| Legal Status | - | Illegal — NC has not legalized cannabis |
| State Law | - | NC General Statutes §90-95 |
| Penalty (small) | - | Misdemeanor for small amounts |
| Penalty (large) | - | Felony charges for cultivation operations |
| Medical Program | - | None — NC has no medical marijuana program |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cary FAQ
Can I grow a single plant for personal use?
No. NCGS §90-95(a)(1) makes it unlawful to manufacture any amount of a controlled substance. There is no personal-use exemption — even one plant is a Class I felony.
Is hemp cultivation different?
Yes. Industrial hemp (≤ 0.3% Delta-9 THC) can be grown under USDA-approved licenses, but unlicensed hemp cultivation and any plant testing over 0.3% THC is treated as marijuana under §90-95.
What about medical marijuana with a card from another state?
NC does not recognize out-of-state medical cards. Cultivation, possession over 0.5 oz, and use remain unlawful regardless of medical authorization elsewhere.
Raleigh FAQ
Can I grow marijuana at home in Raleigh?
No. Cannabis cultivation is illegal in North Carolina. There is no medical or recreational marijuana program, and growing any amount of cannabis plants is a criminal offense under state law.
Has North Carolina considered legalizing marijuana?
Various bills have been introduced in the NC General Assembly, but as of now none have passed. Cannabis remains fully illegal for both recreational and medical purposes in North Carolina.
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