Paraphernalia
G.S. 90-113.22 — paraphernalia for a controlled substance other than marijuana is a Class 1 misdemeanor
The offense. It is unlawful to knowingly use, or possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia to grow, manufacture, prepare, test, package, store or conceal a controlled substance other than marijuana which it would be unlawful to possess, or to inject, ingest, inhale or otherwise introduce one into the body. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Telling the officer first. Before a search of a person, premises or vehicle, an officer may ask whether there is a hypodermic needle or other sharp object. A person who tells the officer about one before the search is not charged with possessing paraphernalia for that needle or sharp object, or for residual amounts of a controlled substance in it. That does not reach any other paraphernalia found.
Testing equipment. It is not unlawful for a person to use or possess testing equipment for identifying or analyzing the strength, effectiveness or purity of a controlled substance they intend to take, or for an organization promoting ways to reduce health risks to possess or distribute it.
What counts as drug paraphernalia is defined elsewhere in the law, and the cannabis rules have their own page. Whether an object found in a particular search is paraphernalia is a question of fact and law for a licensed North Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- G.S. 90-113.22 — Possession of drug paraphernalia
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.