Law enforcement, prosecutors call on NC House to pass hemp regulations

A coalition of North Carolina law enforcement agencies and prosecutors is urging the state House of Representatives to approve House Bill 328, a measure that would implement strict new regulations on hemp products. The proposed legislation seeks to categorize any hemp product containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container as a Schedule VI controlled substance, effectively banning many items currently available on the market. This push for regulation comes as the state's hemp industry remains largely oversight-free, creating a significant shift in the legal landscape for North Carolina's cannabis and hemp sector.

Leading law enforcement organizations, including the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys, issued a formal memo to House lawmakers on Monday. The group is advocating for the passage of a conference report for House Bill 328, which was finalized earlier this month by negotiators including House Majority Leader Brenden Jones. While the Senate approved the measure in a 37-6 vote, the House adjourned on July 2 without taking a vote, with Speaker Destin Hall stating that his chamber required more time to review the final bill.

The proposed regulations would align North Carolina law with federal standards scheduled to take effect in November, setting a strict limit of 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. Any product exceeding this threshold would be classified as a Schedule VI controlled substance, placing it under the same criminal statutes as marijuana. Crucially, the memo notes that the North Carolina ban would likely persist even if federal authorities eventually adjust the 0.4-milligram rule, signaling a permanent shift toward more restrictive state-level enforcement regardless of national policy changes.

Law enforcement officials, including representatives from the State Highway Patrol and Alcohol Law Enforcement, are actively countering industry lobbying efforts that suggest the bill contains "hidden tricks" or was rushed through the legislative process. The memo obtained by WUNC News clarifies that the language addressing these regulatory issues is not new and that there is no "trickery" involved in the conference report. Meanwhile, the hemp industry continues to lobby against the bill, fearing that the sudden reclassification of common products will ban many items currently sold and criminalize businesses that have operated in a regulatory vacuum for years.