North Carolina Marijuana Bill Defeated

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A bill that would legalize medical marijuana possession and use in North Carolina has been rejected by a legislative committee.

The House Rules Committee voted Wednesday to give an unusual “unfavorable report” to the measure after brief debate and public comment. The decision means this bill and the issue are likely dead at the General Assembly through 2014.

The bill would have provided immunity from state prosecution for patients with debilitating conditions and caregivers for having the drug. Certain medical marijuana sales would have been taxed.

Catherine Lyles of Raleigh is a brain tumor survivor who spoke to the committee. She said later that using marijuana had relieved her nausea from other drugs she had received to fight her illness.