North Carolina Hemp Businesses Rally Against House Bill 328 as THC Limits Threaten 21+ Market
Updated
Updated · WTVD-TV · Aug 4
North Carolina Hemp Businesses Rally Against House Bill 328 as THC Limits Threaten 21+ Market
1 articles · Updated · WTVD-TV · Aug 4
Summary
Hemp business owners from across North Carolina rallied in Raleigh on Monday, urging lawmakers to reject House Bill 328 before the House takes it up this week.
Industry organizers said the bill’s THC limits would effectively ban many hemp-derived drinks and other products, with one business owner warning it would put companies out of business by November.
Businesses argued they support tighter rules, citing existing warning labels, THC disclosures and QR-code product information, and backing added safeguards such as third-party testing, child-resistant packaging and licensing.
A Senate version with a 21-and-older age limit drew industry support as a better model, while Speaker Destin Hall’s office said stronger hemp safeguards are needed and the Republican caucus will decide the bill’s fate this week.
Lawmakers return Tuesday, and organizers plan another rally as the fight over how to regulate North Carolina’s hemp market intensifies.
With a microscopic THC limit threatening 95% of products, will North Carolina's strict new hemp rules accidentally fuel a massive underground black market?
Since the 2025 federal restrictions already altered the landscape, is this new state legislation the final death blow for surviving local hemp businesses?