Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Blog
North Carolina legislators have just put a bill on hold that would further regulate the sale of hemp in our state. The bill was widely unpopular among many, including those who legally sell hemp products. It is unknown whether the bill could be brought back in the future. The bill would ban almost all hemp products in North Carolina. The bill was pulled before a vote would have established it as law.
What is Hemp?
Hemp, also called Cannabis Sativa, is a plant that is cultivated for a variety of uses, including fiber, seeds, and oil. Hemp is not the same as the cannabis plant known as marijuana. While similar, hemp does not have high levels of THC. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a substance that produces psychoactive effects. Hemp-derived products often contain small amounts of CBD (cannabidiol) or THC that are used to reduce pain, lower anxiety, and help with a variety of other symptoms, such as sleep problems and inflammation.
What is House Bill 328?
North Carolina House Bill 328 is a bill to regulate hemp-derived consumables. It
would put strict limits on the amount of hemp that could be sold. The proposed bill would limit the sale of THC products to 0.3% by dry weight or 0.4 mg per serving. It would also restrict sales to those age 21 and over. In effect, the bill would eliminate most THC product sales. The legislation is in line with similar federal restrictions that are due to take effect later in the year. The legislation was previously approved by the Senate and is waiting for congressional approval.
Protests and Delay
Opponents of the legislation argue that the bill is too restrictive and would essentially wipe out many businesses that count on sales of hemp-derived products. Members of hemp-related businesses and others gathered to protest the proposed bill. Leaders in the industry say that the ban is a threat to hemp businesses. Legislators decided to put the legislation on hold to allow them to review the pros and cons more deeply. It is important to note that the bill is not dead – it can be brought back for a vote later this year or next year.
What If the Bill Becomes Law?
If the bill were to become law, the hemp industry would face some significant changes. People who use hemp-derived products such as THC and CBD may not be able to purchase them anymore. Retailers may be unable to sell many of the products they currently offer due to the strength restrictions. Many retailers who rely on the sale of CBD or THC products may be unable to sustain their businesses because these are a majority of their sales. Importantly, the hemp industry leaders are not opposed to putting tighter rules in place to ensure that children are not allowed to obtain or use these products. However, they feel that House Bill 328 is too restrictive.
Contact our legal team at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828 to speak with our experienced attorneys.
The criminal defense attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC represent individuals facing a wide range of state and federal criminal charges. Our practice includes traffic violations, DWI/DUI offenses, drug crimes, firearm and weapons charges, and gun permit denials.
We also defend clients accused of property crimes, including larceny, breaking and entering, robbery, fraud, embezzlement, and other white-collar offenses. Our attorneys handle cases involving sex-related offenses, such as indecent exposure, sexual assault, crimes against nature, and petitions for removal from the sex offender registry. In addition, we represent individuals charged with violent crimes, including domestic violence offenses, assault, manslaughter, homicide, and murder.
Beyond criminal charges, we assist clients with related legal matters such as restraining orders, probation violations, expungements, criminal appeals, and immigration issues arising from criminal allegations. We believe that informed clients are empowered clients, and we are committed to helping individuals understand their constitutional rights while providing aggressive and effective legal representation at every stage of the process.
Source:
https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookup/2025/H328
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
Arnold & Smith, PLLC – YouTube
See Our Related Blog Posts:
Is Marijuana Legal in North Carolina?