North Carolina Lawmakers Advance Bill Regulating Hemp-Derived Products And Other Substances

Amid rising concerns over substance misuse among young people, North Carolina’s legislative bodies are intensifying efforts to regulate hemp-derived consumables with new legislation poised to reshape the state's cannabis market landscape.

House Bill 563 Targets Hemp Product Access

Last week, the North Carolina House Judiciary Committee moved forward with House Bill 563, a comprehensive proposal aimed at tightening controls on hemp-derived products. Spearheaded by State Rep. Jeff McNeely (R), the bill introduces rigorous measures to prevent these products from being accessible to minors. “When I started naively, I thought I just wanted to make sure that a 10-year-old kid can't walk into a smoke shop and buy some of these products,” McNeely explained during the committee session, according to High Times. Now, his expanded 17-page bill includes provisions that could drastically alter how hemp consumables are sold and consumed in the state.

Strict Hemp Product Regulations Proposed

Key elements of the bill focus on licensing requirements for manufacturers and distributors, mandatory lab testing and the prohibition of appealing product shapes, such as animals or cartoon characters. Furthermore, the bill also stipulates child-proof packaging and detailed labeling, including allergen information and warnings against operating vehicles or heavy machinery while under the influence.

Read also: Medical Cannabis Packaging Market Projected To Reach $117.2B By 2032 Amid Sustainability Push

Reilly Thomas Dunn, a Raleigh entrepreneur, highlighted the economic potential of properly regulated THC consumables. Addressing a Senate Judiciary committee, Dunn emphasized, “We have been asking for regulation in this space for a really long time because when we do this thing right, it is going to be a huge industry for North Carolina,” reported NC Newsline.

Tighter Controls On Tianeptine And Kratom

Concurrently, discussions around substances like tianeptine and kratom have also garnered attention. The proposed legislation seeks to classify tianeptine as a Schedule II controlled substance, with stringent penalties for unauthorized sales. Kratom, similarly scrutinized, is part of the regulatory overhaul, reflecting a broader legislative intent to prevent youth access to these substances.

Next Legislative Steps And Broader Cannabis Landscape

As House Bill 563 advances to the House Appropriations committee for further deliberation, the full House vote and subsequent Senate considerations will determine the future of these regulations, potentially setting a new standard for the state’s approach to hemp-derived cannabis products.

Despite North Carolina’s efforts to regulate hemp-derived products for youth protection, the state’s cannabis industry remains underdeveloped. Only the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has managed to open a medical cannabis dispensary, recently allowing cardholders to purchase on tribal lands, as broader state legalization has not yet been achieved.

Cannabis rescheduling seems to be right around the corner. Want to understand what this means for the future of the industry? Hear directly for top executives, investors and policymakers at the 19th Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, coming to Chicago this Oct. 8-9. Get your tickets now before prices surge by following this link.