Charlotte | Marijuana Travel Guide

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The amount of genuinely good food within the borders of this entertainment district is mind-blowing. Beef ‘n Bottle, The Dunavant, Bardo, Futa Buta, and Bonterra are just a few of the restaurants you have to try (there are so many more). Beyond the food, places like The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery and Good Road CiderWorks will help you wash it all down. You’re also within walking distance to so many other incredible districts, including Dilworth and Uptown (both of which have amazing must-stop spots). Just make sure you don’t miss this part of town next time you’re in Charlotte – there’s always something good cookin’ in Lower South End.

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A stone-throw away from Uptown, Wesley Heights represents a perfect blend between open spaces, neighborhood charm, and city vibes. The trails of Irwin Creek and Stewart Creek Greenways are usually bustling with local runners and are perfects spots for walking off a good meal (there are plenty to be found throughout this district). Blue Blaze Brewing is always serving up some amazing beer, Lucky Dog Bark & Brew is ideal for pet owners wanting to get out with their furry friends, and Pinky’s Westside Grill has some of the city’s best burgers. Additionally, if you’re a coffee snob, Not Just Coffee might very well be home to Charlotte’s premier cup of joe.

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Named after its main drag, North Davidson Street, NoDa is the city’s art and entertainment epicenter. It’s only a short drive northeast from the city’s center and is easily accessible by light rail. It’s an unsuspecting place, but from dawn past dusk, the streets surrounding North Davidson and 36^th are an active destination for locals to hang out, grab a coffee, eat at outstanding dives, drink tons of craft beer, and walk around the eclectic neighborhood. You can’t completely understand until you visit, but NoDa is where it’s at. We highly recommend these stops for locals and visitors alike: Salud Beer Shop, Smelly Cat Coffee House & Roastery, Haberdish, and Divine Barrel Brewing (one of literally dozens over this way).

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We promise this is a Charlotte must-do. This place is decked out with pretty much everything you’d want from an outdoor extreme sports center. Whitewater rafting, ziplining, kayaking and SUPs, deep water polo (yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds), bouldering, bungee jumping, mountain biking, and even ice skating in the winter. You can buy one or two day passes to gain access to everything, and it’s only $60 per day. Although, you can also buy an annual pass for just $220. We seriously can’t promote this place enough.

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Only a 30-40 minute drive from Charlotte Center City, this state park is an easy destination for even more outdoor adventures. There are eleven different trails to explore, ranging from easy and family-friendly to strenuous climbs. At the top of the most grueling hikes are the two primary peaks – Pinnacle and Crowders – both of which offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding forests. This park also offers some clever rock climbing spots for enthusiasts and a world-class visitors center that doubles as a regional museum. Also, for those of you wanting to lengthen your stay, there are both backpacking and official camping grounds spread throughout this expansive park.

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Anyone less interested in outdoor adventuring, or if you’re just ready for an easy night around town, The Evening Muse is for you. This place has been in business for nearly 20 years and has since become a local staple. It’s a grungy, intimate venue with incredible acoustics and a diverse schedule that promotes a lot of regional artists. Charlotte has an incredible music scene with a wide range of venues, but The Muse is definitely one of our favorites. Located in the heart of NoDa, not only is this joint a great evening destination, but it’s also an excellent starting point for a fun night out (check out our NoDa district overview).

Because of current legal statuses, it might be surprising to learn North Carolina was one of the first ten states to decriminalize marijuana back in 1977. While the state did not remove the criminal status of possession or use, it did reduce the penalties for smaller-offenses. To this day, North Carolina still has the same rules in place, which means it’s one of the weakest decriminalized policies in the nation. The current fine for possession of less than 0.5 ounces is $200 and a misdemeanor, while anything above 0.5 ounces can lead to potential felony charges, several months in jail, and upward of $1,000 in fines.

Medical Marijuana

Between 2014-15, the state legislature passed the North Carolina Epilepsy Alternative Treatment Act and amended it several times to fold more conditions into the cannabis program, which allows the use of CBD with up to 0.9% THC – far less than most patients require. Additionally, even with 2019’s senate approval for inclusion of autism, Chron’s disease, MS, and other conditions into the CBD-focused program, many people that would benefit are still excluded.

Recent Legalization Efforts

The most recent attempt to bring medical cannabis to North Carolina was introduced to the legislature in 2019. However, the comprehensive medical cannabis bill (i.e. H 401) was never addressed in the 2019 session and instead passed to 2020 consideration. Because of Covid-19 and continued economic stress and health safety, the bill technically remains “in committee” and has yet to be considered. Despite all of this, momentum for medical marijuana throughout the state is increasing, especially since North Carolina is now only one of 17 states where it remains illegal. According to a recent poll conducted by Elon University, while only 45% of voters approve of recreational marijuana, an overwhelming 80% believe medical marijuana should be legalized. All of this is to say, it might be illegal for now, but it's only a matter of time before Charlotte begins to see dispensaries to pop up.

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If you’re looking for the big-name, high-time mall experience, this is Charlotte’s answer. This collection of 150+ stores is a destination for locals and visitors from as far as several states over. It has everything you could possibly be looking for, from Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. to Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. There’s a Disney store for families, Microsoft and Apple stores for tech junkies, and an array of food options, including Chipotle and Five Guys for taking care of munchies. Not to mention, this shopping center has a beautiful, clean, open setup that makes the whole experience more enjoyable.

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Nestled against a beautiful neighborhood lake (which is completely walkable via the Barton Creek Greenway), and just a few blocks away from the stunning UNC Charlotte, Shoppes at University Place is one of the most laid-back shopping centers in the region. Easy to walk around and navigate, this shopping experience offers restaurants, local shops, and larger brand-name stores. City Barbeque and the Crafty Crab are great spots to grab a bite, while Velocity Boutique and Uptown Cheapskate provide local fashion. There’s also entertainment via City Art Room and Dave’s Paddleboats (which you can ride around the lake).

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This shopping complex is more of a local experience. It’s only been open since 2019, but this retail center in the heart of South End exemplifies the new Charlotte spirit. This collection of stores includes eclectic shops like Anthropologie, Warby Parker, and West Elm, but is also home to plenty of Charlotte exclusives. The Atherton Farmers Market provides eats and locally curated meats and veggies from surrounding areas, and you can also pick up a cup of beautifully crafted coffee from Not Just Coffee while you shop around. It’s an inviting space with plenty to offer and a community-centric vibe.

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This burger joint has been around for nearly 40 years, over which they’ve continued to serve up the best burgers and sandwiches in North Carolina (it was rated 8^thbest burger in the nation by Thrillist). Their menu is as simple as it comes, but it doesn’t need to be any different. They have a bunch of hot sandwiches, two types of burgers, fries, hot dogs, and chili. That’s it. Pro tip: order it all. Not only are these guys beyond good, but they’re also super cheap. You can buy their basic burger for less than $5 and a hotdog goes for $3. What’s not to love?

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Run by Charlotte natives Don and Catherine Rabb, Fenwick’s has been a local staple for over thirty years. With an intimate atmosphere and incredibly friendly staff, this place is ideal for date nights, Saturday brunch outings, and even just after-work apps. Their menu is fairly simple, but everything on it is outstanding. We humbly recommend the Homemade Soup and the Nawlins Po’ Boy. Also, make sure you leave room for Catherine’s city-famous, homemade, Pecan Cream Pie.

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Also a couple-owned restaurant, Kindred is one of the hottest spots in Charlotte. It’s most famous invention is the milk bread they serve up for free at the beginning of every meal (it’s actually the best thing in the world). There’s also so much more beyond the heaven-sent bread. Their menu is changing constantly because they use fresh, local ingredients, but anything with their squid ink or mushroom vinaigrette is guaranteed to be perfect. To top it all off, order the “Barkeep’s Choice” for a surprise, handcrafted cocktail (yes, their drinks are just as good as their food). Also, you should check out their other restaurant, Hello, Sailor, if you get the chance.