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North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is also examining the possibility of expunctions for past marijuana offenses. But full legalization of marijuana in the state would require approval from the Republican-led legislature.

Stein launches cannabis task force, seeking to regulate THC and study pot legalization in NC

AND TEACHERS THINK THURSDAY NIGHT ON WRAL NEWS AT 6 BREAKING RIGHT NOW ONLY ON WRAL, GOVERNOR JOSH STEIN ANNOUNCED HIS SUPPORT FOR LEGALIZING THC, INTOXICATING PRODUCTS LIKE MARIJUANA FOR ADULTS. HE SAT DOWN EXCLUSIVELY WITH OUR LENA TILLETT TO EXPLAIN WHY HE BELIEVES LEGALIZING THESE PRODUCTS WILL HELP PROTECT CHILDREN IN THIS STATE. FROM THE SURGE OF HARMFUL PRODUCTS ON STORE SHELVES AND LENA. THE GOVERNOR IS FORMING AN ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THIS ISSUE. THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT, JERROLD. IT WAS A FASCINATING INTERVIEW. GOVERNOR STEIN TOLD ME WE HAVE REACHED A CRISIS POINT WITH THE CANNABIS MARKET IN NORTH CAROLINA. SO HE'S TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THIS BRAND-NEW STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL HE ANNOUNCED WITH ME TODAY IS JUST A FIRST STEP. BUT YOU PROBABLY NOTICED IN YOUR COMMUNITY. >> MORE AND MORE VAPE SHOPS POPPING UP ACROSS THE TRIANGLE IN NORTH CAROLINA. PRODUCTS LIKE CBD AND HEMP DERIVED THC DO NOT EVEN HAVE AGE REQUIREMENTS ON THEM. AND YOUNG PEOPLE ARE USING THEM WRAL'S ON REPORTING HAS SHOWN MANY OF THESE PRODUCTS HAVE ILLEGAL LEVELS OF THC IN THEM. GOVERNOR STEIN WANTS ALL OF THESE PRODUCTS TO BE ILLEGAL FOR PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 21. SO I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING. HE WAS RELUCTANT TO SAY THAT HE'S IN SUPPORT OF LEGALIZING MARIJUANA BECAUSE HE SAID YOU CAN GET HIGH FROM SO MANY CANNABIS PRODUCTS. AND THAT'S THE ISSUE HE'S TRYING TO SOLVE. >> DO YOU SUPPORT AGAIN THE LEGALIZING RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA USE FOR ADULTS AND IS THERE A CERTAIN AGE WHERE YOU THINK THAT THAT SHOULD HAPPEN? YEAH. SO I'M JUST GONNA SET MARIJUANA SIDE AND NOT TRYING TO POSITIONAL BECAUSE COCAINE, MARIJUANA AND HEMP HAVE NO MEANING IN TODAY'S WORLD. >> IT'S ALL CANNABIS. CANNABIS IS THE PLAN. IT HAS BOTH OF THESE TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS. I BELIEVE THAT ADULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE CANNABIS WITH INTOXICATING THC. IF THEY WANT. SO, YES, I DO SUPPORT THAT. BUT WHAT I REALLY SUPPORT IS MAKING SURE THAT KIDS CANNOT BUY IT. BY LAW. TODAY IN NORTH CAROLINA, THEY CAN. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE TO ME, WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB PROTECTING OUR KIDS. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO DO A JOB PROTECTING ADULTS WHO ARE PURCHASING THIS BECAUSE WE HAVE NO IDEA. THERE'S NO INDEPENDENT LAB REQUIREMENT. THERE'S NO LABELING REQUIREMENT. THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT THAT THEY SAY WHAT CONCENTRATION OF THC THERE IS. THAT'S THE OUT HOW MUCH THC IS IN THESE PRODUCTS. NO ONE KNOWS. >> SO LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS NEW ADVISORY COUNCIL. IT WOULD BE MADE UP OF MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, PEOPLE FROM THE AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY AND ALSO THE EASTERN BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS. THAT LAST GROUP WAS KEY BECAUSE IT IS LEGAL NOW TO BUY AND SELL RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA ON TRIBAL LANDS BECAUSE ITS SOVEREIGN TERRITORY. A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THAT GOVERNOR SIGNED TOLD ME HE FRANKLY WANTS TO ASK THEM HOW IT'S GOING. SO WRAL DID REACH OUT TO SENATOR BILL RAVEN. HE'S A REPUBLICAN WHO'S A FIERCE ADVOCATE FOR LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA, AN EFFORT THAT HAS REPEATEDLY DIED IN THE LEGISLATURE. THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TOLD US THAT RAVEN WOULD BE ON THIS COUNCIL. WE'RE WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM HIM. COMING UP ON OUR NEWS AT 7, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR MORE OF MY INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNOR, INCLUDING WHY HE'S ALSO CALLING FOR THE EXPUNGEMENT OF RECORDS

In an exclusive interview with WRAL's Lena Tillett on Tuesday, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein called for statewide regulations to legalize THC-intoxicating products and announced the creation of a new state advisory council to explore methods to legalize products containing THC.

Gov. Josh Stein announces new council to explore legalizing THC products for adults in NC

Gov. Josh Stein

Missing 2-year-old boy dies: Toddler found submerged in Kerr Lake, Vance Co. Sheriff's Office says

Sky 5 video showed Vance County deputies searching for a missing 2-year-old in the Kerr Lake area on Tuesday evening.

Warmer, drier mid-week; low odds of tropical system off NC coast

Sever risk stays to our west Tuesday and Wednesday

Wake school board passes its first-ever districtwide cellphone policy. Here's what's in it. 

File photo of cellphones in school

Knightdale police arrest man in a local bar shooting after a nine-day manhunt

Possible explosive device removed from yard of northeast Raleigh home

Wake County deputies and New Hope firefighters responded to a Forestville Road home on Tuesday afternoon after someone found a possible explosive device in the yard.

Hurricane season 2025: System off NC coast has 10% chance for development

Odds of tropical development as of 2 a.m., 6/3/2025

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The Raleigh Police Department is warning residents about a phone scam where people impersonate law enforcement, claiming missed court dates or legal issues and demanding immediate payment via unconventional methods.


Raleigh police warn of phone scam demanding immediate payment

Phone call, cell phone, phone scam, smart phone

WRAL 5 On Your Side looked into the factors that determine how much people pay in vehicle tax.

Paying more in taxes for your car? Here's how NC comes up with its valuation

A file photo of a Kia SUV.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is warning people not to fall for a texting scam.

'So much wrong': NCDOT warns of texting scam

House Bill 199 would create a new government group, the North Carolina Towing and Recovery Commission, with leaders picked by the governor and the state legislature. It would be in charge of issuing and revoking permits to tow truck businesses.

Towing companies would face stricter consumer protection rules under bipartisan NC bill

A file photo of a car getting towed.

Despite mounting pressure and a citizen-led petition with more than 400 signatures calling for his resignation, Zebulon Mayor Glenn York is steadfast in his decision to remain in office until his term ends. In an interview with WRAL News, York addressed the recent wave of leadership resignations. 

Zebulon mayor will not resign despite calls to do so, shares plans to move forward

A file photo of Zebulon Mayor Glenn York.

Wake Forest University head baseball coach Tom Walter has issued an apology after a video surfaced online of him using an apparent homophobic slur during the team's loss to Tennessee on Monday night.

Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter apologizes for apparent use of homophobic slur

Wake Forest baseball coach Tom Walter

The school board has raised meal prices three years in a row as costs of services -- in goods, shipping and wages -- have risen.

Wake schools plans to recommend school meal price increase

Wake Schools, USDA administrators school lunch event June 4, 2024

Senate Bill 50 would allow anyone to carry concealed handguns or other firearms as long as they're 18 or older and don't fall under the list of exceptions, such as people with felonies or dishonorable military discharges.

Concealed carry repeal passes NC House committee. Critics say it will cause more gun deaths.

Minnesota and New Jersey Sue Glock Over Lethal Add-On for Guns

The Carolina Hurricanes have about $30 million in cap space this offseason as it seeks to improve a team that has reached the playoffs in seven consecutive seasons.

Hurricanes GM praises Brind'Amour, says team can spend to the cap to improve

Panthers_Hurricanes_Hockey_95337

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) â The wife and five children of an Egyptian man accused of firebombing an event in Colorado in support of Israeli hostages were taken into custody Tuesday by U.S. immigration officials and threatened with a swift deportation.

US immigration authorities detain the family of the man charged in the Colorado attack

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The Food and Drug Administration has updated an ongoing recall of tomatoes distributed in three states to its most severe warning, saying there is a higher probability that potential salmonella contamination could lead to "serious adverse health consequences or death."

FDA updates recall of tomatoes, warning of a high risk of illness or death

Five North Carolina teams were in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, but did they survive the regional rounds? Monday games will decide the fate for two teams.


NCAA baseball: UNC advances to Super Regional, Wake Forest eliminated Monday

Duke baseball coach Chris Pollard

Experts say consumers can save hundreds of dollars each year simply by checking your television subscriptions.


5 On Your Side: Save hundreds of dollars by checking your TV subscriptions

TV subscriptions

The Atlantic hurricane season runs each year from June 1 to Nov. 30. The most active time is late August into October, but it's possible to see a hurricane make landfall any time of the year. 

Hurricane season 2025: Tracking the tropics

A water park in Raleigh was a summertime destination for decades as kids enjoyed swims, slides and sun. Silver Lake made a splash with many families.

Remembering Raleigh: Silver Lake struck gold with swimmers for decades

Silver Lake Water Park

Plan ahead with simple steps to protect your home and your family, and you won't get flooded with worry the next time a hurricane is headed for the Carolina coast.

NC hurricane season: What to do when a hurricane is coming

Hurricane damage at Holden Beach

Don't Miss It

North Carolina lawmakers are trying again to regulate kratom, a plant-derived stimulant often sold in convenience stores. But this year, there's a new twist: the measure would ban synthetic chemicals derived from the plant.

NC lawmakers discuss regulating kratom

Siler City pastor accused of possessing child pornography

Zebulon mayor says he's confident in town leadership despite several sudden departures

Body of 2-year-old boy recovered from Kerr Lake, Vance County Sheriff's Office says

Crews searching for missing 2-year-old in Vance County

School lunch price increase to be considered by Wake district leaders 

Authorities discuss possible explosive found in lawn of Raleigh home

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Duke Energy boosts storm readiness with technology ahead of hurricane season

Local News

Siler City pastor charged with having child pornography on his phone, police say

NC lawmakers seek to regulate kratom, ban synthetic versions 

Fate of $145 million Crown Event Center project under discussion in Cumberland County

Kennedy has ordered a review of baby formula. Here's what you should know

Nation/World

New Orleans jail escapee releases videos, prompting search of home where they were made, source says

Russian rockets kill 4 in a Ukrainian city as Kyiv claims it damaged a key bridge

Republican push for proof of citizenship to vote proves a tough sell in the states

Meta becomes the latest big tech company turning to nuclear power for AI needs

The owner of Clyde Cooper's Barbecue says the restaurant remains open in downtown Raleigh, but noted that they will be relocating by the end of the year. The building it is housed in has been sold.


Clyde Cooper's Barbecue is still open, but they still plan to relocate by end of year

Clyde Cooper's Barbeque

Weekend best bets: Luke Bryan, Wu-Tang and The Soccer Tournament

Luke Bryan 

Youth clinics, kids zone: A guide to family fun at The Soccer Tournament in Cary

Children playing soccer

Foodie News: Nationally acclaimed taco restaurant to open first Raleigh location

Pulled pork tacos with salsa, guacamole and lime in background, 

Your guide to Pride in the Triangle

Rainbow flag waving outdoors (Adobe Stock)

List: Triangle Juneteenth events 

Juneteenth 

Out & About

Fact-checking Donald Trump as DOGE adviser Elon Musk leaves White House

Politifact

Fact check: Did NC reject Helene contractors over state racial 'quotas'?

Fact check: Did Memorial Day gas prices hit a 20-year low?

Fact check: Would GOP bill strip Medicaid, health care from 13 million Americans?

Fact check: Did Trump's transportation secretary vote against air traffic control upgrades?

NC lawmakers debate raising tobacco age to 21

NC Capitol

NC lawmakers debate raising tobacco purchase age to 21 amid vaping crisis

NC lawmakers delay vote on criminalizing voter registration drives 

'Toll road's dead': NC lawmakers pump the brakes on Wake County road-widening plan

On the Record: Proposed cuts to NC state income taxes could lead to budget cuts, economists say

Wake considering raising school lunch prices again

Education

Triangle gears up for graduation weekend: dates and venues for local high schools

Brain Game semifinals: Apex Friendship High School vs Raleigh Charter High School

UNC-CH faculty concerned over 'highly unusual' lack of tenure promotions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US will begin revoking the visas of Chinese students

'It's as broken as everyone thinks it is': New NCDMV commissioner promises DMV revamp

WRAL In Depth

Medicaid cuts could leave NC families without options for nursing home care

UNC Health psychologist conducting research into men experiencing postpartum depression

"I'm not guilty": Owner of Orange Co. farm party property appears in court

Growth, housing and schools: Leaders speak to improvements, challenges of Raleigh living

Duke, UNC are two wins from the College World Series. Here's when they play

WRALSportsFan

The Soccer Tournament 2025 guide for fans: Matches, tickets and schedule

US Women eye another $1M prize at TST with expanded field

Knicks fire coach Tom Thibodeau after first Eastern Conference finals berth in 25 years

French Open: Iga Swiatek to face No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals. Alcaraz and Musetti win

Southern Carolina 6A/7A Conference Football Preview: Weddington looks to fend off challengers

HighSchoolOT

Davie County's Coy James named 2025 Gatorade NC Player of the Year in baseball

N.C. Baseball Coaches Association announces 2025 players of the year, all-state teams

Four Rivers 3A/4A Conference Football Preview: Eastern Randolph leads the way

JMB's list of NC high schools visited for athletic competition

Newly appointed North Carolina DMV Commissioner Paul Tine is promising to significantly reduce wait times and improve customer experience by implementing numerous changes.

New NCDMV commissioner answers questions about fixing department's problems

New NC DMV commissioner answers questions about fixing department's problems

Two NCSHP troopers are still employed by the agency after WRAL Investigates found what appear to be clear violations of internal policy in their behavior. 

NC troopers still employed despite apparent violations to code of conduct

 Sgt. Garrett Macario (left) and Sgt. Matthew Morrison

Two NCSHP troopers are still employed by the agency after WRAL Investigates found what appear to be clear violations in internal policy in their behavior. 

WRAL Investigates: Video showed troopers violated policy. How are they still employed?

WRAL Investigates: NCSHP troopers violate policy

North Carolina lawmakers have increasingly shifted toward using federal dollars, rather than state dollars, to pay for education and health services nominally provided by the state. Federal cuts could jeopardize those services as state lawmakers also look to cut spending.

Proposed federal budget could leave holes in NC state budget

North Carolina homeowners face a 7.5% insurance hike on Juneâ¯1, adding about $243 yearly. Climate losses and higher rebuild costs are driving the surge.

NC home insurance premiums rise in June

NC home insurance premiums rise next week

NC homeowners hit with 7.5% insurance rate hike starting in June

On Your Bike CafÃ© owner Alex Webber found her shop with 3 feet of mud, a gutted storefront and an insurance denial letter after Hurricane Helene

WRAL Specialists

5 On Your Side: Are you paying more in taxes for your car?

Recall: 100,000 kitchen faucets sold on Amazon due to lead risk

Restaurant Ratings: Mamacita and Tacos Number Juan

5 On Your Side: Ingredient in gluten-free products contains high levels of lead

5 On Your Side

Orange County farm venue owner in court, denies responsibility

Former foster father tries to fix broken foster care system in NC

Former vice chair 'deeply disturbed' with campaign finance reports of Durham committee

SBI investigating case related to Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People

Investigations

Donald Thompson: AI is revolutionizing hiring. Human resources officers must lead the charge

Attention VCs: Making the case for the Triangle as Silicon Valley of the East

Grace Ueng's Plunge Club: Pilots and 12 keys to happiness

David Gardner: Every business degree should require sales classes

WRAL TechWire

'Lilo & Stitch' passes 'Sinners' to become 2nd highest grossing film of 2025

FDA approves Moderna's new lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine

US inflation gauge cools with little sign of tariff impact, so far

Wall Street glides to the end of its best month since 2023

Business

Powerball

Mega Millions

Cash 5

Welcome back! WRAL's Chris Lovingood talks about being a new dad

Family

Durham's Museum of Life and Science reopens red wolf exhibit with 3 new pups

Proposed Medicaid cuts put nursing home care in jeopardy for NC families

Boy hero: 9-year-old Ohio boy saves pregnant mother's life

Alzheimer's care: Traveling Light

Macy's Sale: Comforter Sets starting at $23.93 (up to 72% off)

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