NC Senate passes THC crackdown, but House delays vote despite GOP agreement

The North Carolina Senate has approved a Republican-backed compromise to ban intoxicating hemp products for individuals under 21 and establish a new regulatory framework for the industry. Although negotiators from both chambers initially agreed on the proposal, House Speaker Destin Hall declined to bring the measure to a vote before the legislature's month-long summer break. This delay leaves the state's rapidly expanding hemp-derived THC market without age restrictions or statewide standards for manufacturing and testing as lawmakers weigh the impact of potential federal bans.

The North Carolina Senate has passed a compromise bill designed to ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products to anyone under the age of 21 and establish a formal regulatory framework for the industry. The legislation specifically targets hemp-derived THC products like Delta-8 and Delta-9, which are currently sold in convenience stores and smoke shops without age restrictions or consistent statewide standards for manufacturing, testing, and labeling. In addition to hemp, the bill includes provisions to regulate kratom and xylazine, addressing growing concerns among state officials regarding the availability of these substances to minors.

Senate Leader Phil Berger, a primary advocate for the measure, stated that the state could no longer afford to wait for federal action as Congress considers its own ban on intoxicating hemp products. Berger emphasized that the bill is a necessary step to ensure consumer safety and product consistency, noting that some manufacturers have been able to market products that possess enough THC to produce a high while bypassing the labeling requirements of other drugs. He also sought to distinguish this regulatory effort from the broader debate over medical marijuana, which has stalled in the House despite Senate support.

Despite a prior agreement between negotiators from both chambers, House Speaker Destin Hall opted to delay a vote on the measure until lawmakers return from a month-long break. Hall noted that while the House Republican caucus supports the goal of keeping harmful products away from those under 21, they were not yet prepared to move forward with the specific compromise reached with the Senate. This delay highlights an unusual rift between GOP leaders, as conference reports are typically approved quickly once a consensus is reached between the two houses.

The hemp industry in North Carolina has seen rapid expansion since the federal legalization of hemp in 2018, leading to a marketplace filled with legal alternatives to marijuana that often lack oversight. While marijuana remains illegal in the state, public sentiment appears to be shifting, with a 2024 WRAL News Poll showing that 70% of North Carolinians support medical marijuana legalization. However, House leadership remains firm in its opposition to any form of marijuana legalization, focusing their legislative energy instead on the current crackdown on hemp-derived THC products.