NC Senate supports legislation legalizing medical marijuana

The North Carolina Senate approved legalizing marijuana for medical purposes Tuesday. Supporters say the proposal would provide relief to those with debilitating illnesses.

The proposal is almost identical to a bill the Senate passed last June by a similar margin, which then stalled in the House. This year, Republican House Speaker Tim Moore has said there's some support for the idea in his chamber. The measure needs one more Senate vote on Wednesday before it moves to the House.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who would be asked to sign any final bill into law, already has expressed interest in authorizing medical pot and in decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana.