North Carolina Cannabis Users Turn to Virginia as Police Crack Down on Illegal Dispensaries

As police continue to crack down on illegal cannabis dispensaries in the Tar Heel State, residents are increasingly turning to legal options on their doorstep. Virginia is set to launch a new, legal cannabis industry with dispensaries serving out-of-state buyers. In addition, the Cherokee dispensary already provides a legal loophole for cannabis buyers inside North Carolina. If you are facing legal issues for buying or selling cannabis at a dispensary, consider contacting a North Carolina marijuana defense attorney. 

Virginia Prepares to Launch Legal Cannabis Industry in 2026

In late December of 2025, The Carolina Journal reported that Virginia was set to launch a new, legal cannabis industry in 2026. The report noted that after this development takes place, North Carolina residents will have a relatively simple source of legal cannabis right on their doorstep. For some Tar Heel State residents who live along the 300-mile Virginia/North Carolina border, accessing legal cannabis might be as simple as a ten-minute drive. 

Virginia has made it clear that out-of-state buyers are free to visit and purchase legal cannabis. This, of course, includes residents of North Carolina. While Tar Heel State law enforcement could theoretically try to catch people coming back across the Virginia border, there is not much they can do to prevent these quasi-legal purchases. 

Some believe that Virginia’s move toward legalization seals the fate of the legalization effort in North Carolina. With so many other states taking similar moves, North Carolina may simply give up on trying to police cannabis users here. The Carolina Journal points out that when the authorities cannot enforce laws consistently, public trust quickly erodes. 

There is also the question of the Cherokee dispensary, which has been open for quite some time now within North Carolina’s borders. The existence of this dispensary makes it even more challenging to enforce cannabis laws consistently. With Virginia to the North and the Cherokee dispensary to the West, North Carolina residents don’t have to travel far to find legal marijuana. 

Police Continue to Crack Down on Illegal Dispensaries in North Carolina

It is important to understand that while the writing might be on the wall as far as marijuana legalization goes, weed is still illegal in North Carolina as of this writing. Police continue to crack down on both buyers and sellers, and you may face criminal charges if police find you with cannabis. 

On January 12th, police carried out “Operation Found Out,” seizing 53 pounds of cannabis from four different vape shops in Stoke County. As a result of this crackdown, multiple individuals in North Carolina now face marijuana trafficking charges. 

Can a North Carolina Cannabis Defense Attorney Help Me?

If you need help defending against marijuana possession charges in North Carolina, contact an experienced defense attorney. A cannabis defense attorney may also be able to assist those who face criminal charges for allegedly operating illegal dispensaries in North Carolina. Learn more about your legal options by contacting Coastal South Law today.