It’s hardly breaking news that April 20, or “4/20,” is a holiday among marijuana-lovers. 

Cannabis is on a lot of folks’ minds this week with the NC General Assembly returning to session. Below, Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy has a run-down of their substantial to-do list.

But first, let’s take a look at the critical deadline coming up for North Carolina’s hemp industry. 

The growing industry creates a number of products, including gummies, drinks, and even clothes. But they’re going to need a rescue from the state legislature if they want to survive the year. Here’s why.

THC-infused drinks at a grocery store in Apex, North Carolina, in September 2025. (PJ McDonnell/Shutterstock)

To understand why North Carolina’s hemp industry is looking for relief, I took a look at our state’s cannabis laws. 

My take: It’s past time for the state to modernize. We’re one of just 10 states in the US that don’t have medical marijuana or some kind of regulated market. 

Read my take here.

Want to share your 2 cents on NC’s marijuana laws? Write me, and you could see it in a future C&P newsletter. 

Here’s what else is in today’s email: 

A “hello and thank you very much” for C&P reader Janet Greene, who sent us this view from Franklin, NC.

We want to see your view from NC. Send it here.

Teachers and their supporters marched on the state capitol in Raleigh, NC, on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, to demand better funding in schools, increased salaries, the expansion of Medicaid, and better mental health services in schools, among other things. (AP Photo/Amanda Morris)

Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy—who’s just about the best political writer you’ll find around these parts (fight me 👊)—has written down just about everything you need to know about the upcoming state legislative session.

 Lawmakers are back on Tuesday.

First things first, they didn’t pass a state budget in 2025, making us the only state in America to fail on that front.

It’s created a lot of uncertainty around Medicaid and, of course, public education. Here’s what to know.

More NC news:

Here’s why a recent NC Supreme Court decision is a big, big deal for public education.

1. Why landing an MLB team is an “uphill battle” for North Carolina. Axios Charlotte

“Major League Baseball has its sights set on expansion, with potential new teams in the Eastern and Western parts of the country.”

2. 2 killed after a planned fight near a North Carolina middle school turns into a mass shooting, police say. CNN

“What started as a scheduled scuffle devolved into a deadly mass shooting not far from a middle school Monday, North Carolina authorities said.”

3. Don’t shift the burden: NC must fully fund its public schools. NC Newsline

“North Carolina’s public schools are being squeezed from both sides—and the pressure is building at exactly the wrong time.”

Eastern North Carolina’s finest display of swashbuckling, the PirateFest in Greenville, returns this week. (PirateFest)

Does PirateFest really need an introduction? 

This eastern North Carolina celebration—conveniently located near the East Carolina University Pirates—kicks off this weekend. 

Is this an essential event? No.

Am I delighted that someone somewhere thought it worthy of a whole day of swashbuckling tomfoolery? Absolutely. 

Get the details on PirateFest here.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Billy Ball. I’m an NC native and journalist. I tend to lean left on opinion, but I lean no way on facts. Today’s edition includes stories from Ryan Pitkin, Michael McElroy, and USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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