NC ALERT: HB328 Vote Set for July 27 — Take Action Now

While Congress debates the federal hemp ban, North Carolina lawmakers are moving on their own bill — HB328 — that could ban most hemp products sold in our state, regardless of what happens in Washington.

On July 2, 2026, the NC Senate adopted a conference report on HB328 by a 37-6 vote. The NC House is expected to vote on this same version when it returns to session on July 27, 2026.

What HB328 Would Do:

• July 15, 2026 — Bans hemp product sales to anyone under 21 (a change EVERYONE supports)
• November 12, 2026 — Sets a 0.4mg total-THC limit per container, a threshold so restrictive it would make nearly all current hemp products illegal to sell in NC — regardless of any changes at the federal level

Even if Congress delays or repeals the federal ban, HB328 would NOT automatically align with that change. NC would have its own, stricter ban locked into state law.

A Question Worth Asking

For years, common-sense 21+ legislation has died in the Senate or stalled in the House. Right now, SB59 — a bill that mirrors much of HB328's age-restriction language — has sat untouched for months. SB59 passed the Senate 44-0 back in March 2025. It finally got a House committee vote this past June, but remains stuck in the Rules Committee with no floor vote scheduled. Critically, SB59 does not impose a new definition of hemp or ban any products — it simply restricts sales to adults only.

So why does protecting minors require an entirely new definition of hemp that bans products for legal adult consumers? 

The Economic Stakes

A 2026 study by Whitney Economics found the NC hemp cannabinoid industry:

• Generates $3.2 billion in total business revenue
• Drives $4.4 billion in total economic impact through retail alone
• Employs more than 16,000 North Carolinians, paying $702.5 million in wages
• Is 90.6% profitable or break-even — outperforming the national small business average

A restrictive law like HB328 is projected to cause:

• 1,511 business failures and 499 businesses leaving the state
• 12,099 workers displaced, $513.7 million in lost wages
• A $3.7 billion reduction in state economic activity

Source: Whitney Economics, "Hemp Derived Cannabinoids in the Tar Heel State: An Economic Impact Analysis," March 2026.

Take Action Before July 27

👉 Find Your NC House Representative

Call or email your representative. Tell them to pass SB59 as a clean age-restriction bill, and to oppose the 0.4mg total-THC cap in HB328 that would eliminate a $4.4 billion NC industry.

Responsible Adult Access: "I'm a constituent and a hemp consumer. I support responsible, adult-only access to hemp products — including the 21+ age restriction in HB328. But the 0.4mg total-THC cap goes far beyond age limits; it would ban the products I currently buy legally as an adult. Please separate the age restriction from the total-THC ban."

Small Business: "I'm a constituent who supports North Carolina's small hemp businesses. HB328's 0.4mg total-THC cap would put local, family-owned retailers and manufacturers out of business — handing the market to unregulated sellers and out-of-state corporations. Please oppose this provision and protect NC small businesses."

Economy: "I'm a constituent concerned about HB328's economic impact. A 2026 Whitney Economics study found NC's hemp industry generates $4.4 billion in economic activity and employs over 16,000 people. HB328's total-THC cap could cause over 1,500 business failures and $3.7 billion in lost economic activity. Please oppose this provision."