Save NC Hemp
We support regulation. We oppose destruction disguised as regulation.
Our purpose: to protect safe, legal, and accessible hemp products for North Carolina adults while advancing a responsible statewide regulatory system rooted in testing, truthful labeling, safe packaging, licensing, and meaningful enforcement.
Status: HB 328 is stalled in the House, not defeated — as of August 5, 2026.
House Bill 328
What HB 328 Proposes
It does contain a legitimate 21-and-older restriction, but it also proposes adopting an extremely restrictive product definition tied to the new federal standard. This new definition eliminates rather than regulates.
The text defines a prohibited finished hemp-derived consumable product as one containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container or any synthetic or chemically converted cannabinoid.
The proposal expressly states that North Carolina wants its restriction to remain in force even if the federal government subsequently weakens or repeals the federal standard.
What It Would Eliminate
In practical commercial terms, the 0.4-milligram-per-container limit would eliminate most currently available:
- THC gummies and chocolates
- THC beverages
- Hemp-derived THC tinctures
- Delta-8 and similar converted products
- Many vape products
- THCA flower and related products
Responsible hemp companies are already setting their own regulation standards, including age restrictions, child-proof packaging, ID verification, and third-party lab testing. So the age restriction in HB 328 becomes a disguise for a product threshold that functions more like prohibition than regulation. To that, we say no.
The Economic Stakes
A January 2026 economic analysis estimated that North Carolina's hemp-derived cannabinoid industry now generates approximately $3.2 billion in business revenue, supports more than 16,000 jobs and pays approximately $702.5 million in wages. The report concludes that moving from self-regulation toward product-level regulation represents a practical middle ground compared with a blanket ban.
$3.2B
Annual Business Revenue
16,149+
Jobs Supported
$702.5M
Wages Paid
$87.8M
Annual Retail Sales-Tax Revenue
Take Action
Contact Your Legislator
Pick a template below, copy it, and use it to email, call, or leave a voicemail for your representative. Not sure who represents you?
Find Your LegislatorsCopy-and-Paste Email
Dear Representative [LAST NAME], I am a North Carolina resident and constituent asking you to oppose adoption of the current HB 328 conference report. I support responsible regulation of hemp-derived products. I support restricting intoxicating products to adults 21 and older, independent product testing, licensing, accurate labeling, child-resistant packaging, responsible manufacturing standards and meaningful enforcement against businesses that sell to minors or endanger consumers. However, the current HB 328 conference proposal goes far beyond consumer protection. It would define a prohibited finished hemp-derived consumable product as one containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC in the entire container. That threshold would function as near-prohibition for much of North Carolina's current lawful hemp market rather than creating a responsible regulatory system. The economic consequences could be severe. Whitney Economics estimates that North Carolina's hemp-derived cannabinoid industry supports approximately 16,149 jobs, pays approximately $702.5 million in wages, generates approximately $3.2 billion in business revenue, and contributes an estimated $87.8 million in annual retail sales-tax revenue. Highly restrictive policies are projected to put thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in statewide economic activity at risk. North Carolina can protect children and consumers without eliminating responsible farmers, manufacturers, laboratories, retailers and small businesses. Please: Vote NO on the current HB 328 conference report. Do not support the 0.4-milligram-total-THC-per-container threshold. Bring farmers, manufacturers, laboratories, retailers, health professionals, attorneys, consumers and public-safety representatives together to develop a comprehensive regulated-market alternative. Support enforceable rules based on adult-only access, testing, licensing, safe packaging, truthful labeling and penalties for bad actors. We support regulation. We oppose destruction disguised as regulation. Please let me know where you stand on the current HB 328 conference report. Sincerely, [YOUR FULL NAME] [YOUR HOME ADDRESS OR CITY AND ZIP CODE] [YOUR PHONE NUMBER] [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]
Shorter Email Version
Subject: Vote NO on the Current HB 328 Conference Report Dear Representative [LAST NAME], As your constituent, I am asking you to vote NO on the current HB 328 conference report. I support 21-and-older access, licensing, independent testing, accurate labeling, child-resistant packaging and strong enforcement. However, the proposal's 0.4-milligram-total-THC-per-container limit would function as near-prohibition and threaten lawful North Carolina farmers, manufacturers, retailers, workers and consumers. North Carolina's hemp-derived cannabinoid industry supports an estimated 16,149 jobs, $702.5 million in wages and $3.2 billion in business revenue. Please reject the current conference report and support a comprehensive regulated-market alternative. We support regulation. We oppose destruction disguised as regulation. Sincerely, [NAME] [ADDRESS OR CITY AND ZIP]
Telephone Script
Hello, my name is [NAME], and I live in [CITY OR COUNTY]. I am calling to ask Representative [NAME] to vote no on the current HB 328 conference report. I support responsible hemp regulation, including 21-and-older access, testing, licensing, safe packaging, accurate labels and strong enforcement. I oppose the 0.4-milligram-total-THC-per-container threshold because it would function as near-prohibition and threaten thousands of North Carolina jobs and responsible businesses. Please reject the current conference report and support a comprehensive regulatory alternative. May I have the representative's position on HB 328?
Voicemail Script
I am a constituent asking Representative [NAME] to vote no on the current HB 328 conference report. We support responsible regulation, but we oppose the 0.4-milligram-per-container threshold that would eliminate much of North Carolina's lawful hemp market. Please support 21-plus access, testing, licensing, safe packaging and enforcement instead. My name is [NAME], and my telephone number is [NUMBER].
What Good Regulation Looks Like
A credible framework should begin with one clear principle: products capable of causing intoxication should be regulated as adult products. Sales should be limited to adults 21 and older, with identification verification in stores and meaningful age controls for online purchases and delivery. Age restrictions are only the beginning. A complete system should include:
- —Licensing for manufacturers, distributors and retailers.
- —Registration of finished products sold in the state.
- —Independent batch testing by qualified laboratories.
- —Testing for cannabinoid potency, pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents and microbial contaminants.
- —Certificates of analysis available through QR codes.
- —Accurate disclosure of milligrams per serving and per package.
- —Child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging.
- —Restrictions on packaging designed to imitate children's candy or snacks.
- —GMP or comparable manufacturing standards.
- —Traceability, adverse-event reporting and recall procedures.
- —Enforcement against unlicensed and noncompliant sellers.
- —Meaningful penalties for repeat violations.
- —Reasonable potency and serving limits based on product category and evidence.
- —A transition pathway that allows existing compliant businesses to meet new standards.
- —Collection of appropriate state and local taxes.
Most importantly, the rules should be built with participation from the people who understand each part of the system: farmers, manufacturers, independent laboratories, retailers, health professionals, attorneys, researchers, consumers, and public-safety representatives.
Where Things Stand
Updates Regarding the NC Hemp Ban
As of August 5, 2026, HB 328 has been stalled — but the fight is not over.
The Senate adopted the conference report on July 2, 2026, by a 37–6 vote. The official General Assembly record still lists that Senate vote as the bill's latest action; the House has not adopted the conference report. The House met on July 27 without taking final action on HB 328.
HB 328 is stalled, not defeated. It can still be brought forward for a House vote.