By Morgan Davis, Health and Wellness Attorney

Over the past few weeks, legislators have introduced new bills that could significantly impact the North Carolina hemp industry. Some have been in development for years, while others propose sweeping bans that go far beyond what most stakeholders expected.

I’m Morgan Davis, a health and wellness attorney based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Let’s talk about how to keep your hemp business protected and thriving in this rapidly shifting environment.

What’s Behind the Legislative Push?

Across the country, lawmakers are voicing concern about underage access to intoxicating hemp products. While there’s little concrete data to support claims of widespread youth usage, the narrative is strong. Legislators cite emergency room visits and poison control calls—though many may involve unregulated online purchases rather than retail hemp shops.

Regardless of accuracy, this public relations strategy is playing out nationwide, from Texas to California. Now, North Carolina is following suit.

What’s in the Proposed North Carolina Bills?

The proposed legislation would create a full regulatory framework for hemp products in the state. This includes:

• Mandatory licensing
• Regulation by the Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) division
• Labeling and packaging requirements
• Testing standards

Those measures are broadly supported by responsible industry members. However, the bills would also limit legal products to those containing only Delta-9 THC, excluding many other cannabinoids currently on the market.

How Could This Affect Your Business?

If your business sells products containing THCA, THCP, or any other cannabinoid besides Delta-9, this legislation could effectively ban your entire catalog. That would be a major blow to the hemp economy in North Carolina and would echo the restrictive approaches taken in other states.

What You Can Do Now

If you’re located in or sell into North Carolina:

• Call your representatives. Share your story. Explain the role your business plays and how you protect consumers.
• Start auditing your product line. If your offerings depend on non–Delta-9 cannabinoids, consider reformulations.
• Update your packaging. Add QR codes, sourcing and manufacturing details, and nutritional facts to edibles.

The legislative session ends June 30. Decisions made in these final weeks could determine whether your business survives in this market.

If you need help navigating these changes or updating your compliance strategy, we’d love to support you. Let’s make sure your business stays strong—no matter what comes next.