North Carolina Legislators Propose Nine Bills to Control Hemp-Derived Intoxicating Products

North Carolina’s hemp industry, a vibrant tapestry woven from agricultural roots and modern innovation, stands at a crossroads. The state, long celebrated for its fertile fields and pioneering spirit, has seen hemp flourish since its legalization under the 2018 Farm Bill. But with growth comes complexity. Hemp-derived intoxicating products—gummies, vapes, and drinks laced with cannabinoids like delta-8 THC—have flooded markets, sparking both opportunity and concern. In 2025, North Carolina legislators are tackling this issue head-on, proposing nine bills to regulate these products. This isn’t just policy chatter; it’s a seismic shift that could reshape how hemp intoxicating products are sold, consumed, and perceived across the Tar Heel State.

The surge of hemp intoxicating products traces back to a federal loophole. The 2018 Farm Bill defined hemp as cannabis with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, distinguishing it from marijuana. This opened the door for hemp-derived cannabinoids, including delta-8, delta-10, and others that mimic marijuana’s psychoactive effects. Unlike tightly regulated marijuana, these products face minimal oversight, creating a Wild West of hemp online shops and hemp wholesale markets. In North Carolina, where marijuana remains illegal, these products have become a legal workaround, available everywhere from gas stations to chic dispensaries. But the accessibility, especially to youth, has raised red flags.

A Legislative Avalanche Takes Shape

Enter the nine bills, a legislative blitz aimed at taming this unregulated frontier. At the heart of these proposals is a desire to protect public health, particularly for children. One bill, House Bill 680, dubbed The Protect Children from Cannabis Act, encapsulates the urgency. It mandates permits for shops selling hemp intoxicating products and bans sales to those under 21. The Alcohol Beverage Control Commission and Alcohol Law Enforcement would gain authority to investigate and enforce compliance, a nod to the state’s robust alcohol regulation model. This isn’t about prohibition but precision—ensuring these products don’t slip into the hands of kids.

The numbers tell a stark story. The North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force reported a 600% spike in emergency department visits for cannabis-related issues among children under 17 since 2019. For older teens, the increase is over 1,000%. These figures aren’t abstract; they reflect real kids grappling with the effects of potent gummies or vapes bought without age checks. Onslow County Sheriff Chris Thomas highlighted a troubling trend: vape shops popping up near schools, capitalizing on young customers. “The young clientele is a customer for a long time,” he noted, underscoring the predatory edge of unchecked sales.

The Online and Wholesale Boom

The rise of hemp online platforms has amplified the challenge. A quick search reveals countless websites peddling hemp intoxicating products, from neon-colored edibles to sleek vape pens, often with zero age verification. These digital storefronts bypass traditional retail, making regulation trickier. Meanwhile, hemp wholesale markets thrive, supplying bulk products to retailers without consistent oversight. This dual pipeline—online and wholesale—has fueled an estimated $28 billion national market for hemp-derived intoxicants, with North Carolina as a key player due to its robust hemp cultivation.

Legislators aren’t blind to this. Several bills propose licensing for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, including those operating online or in wholesale. The goal is traceability: ensuring products meet safety standards and aren’t marketed to minors. One proposal demands child-resistant packaging and clear warnings, addressing the candy-like allure of many edibles. Another bill seeks to ban these products on school grounds, a direct response to reports of students using them openly. These measures aim to close gaps that have allowed hemp intoxicating products to slip through unregulated channels.

Balancing Industry and Safety

North Carolina’s hemp industry isn’t just a footnote—it’s a powerhouse. The state boasts over 1,500 licensed hemp growers and 1,200 processors, a testament to its agricultural clout. Hemp online sales and hemp wholesale networks employ thousands, from farmers to tech entrepreneurs. But the intoxicating segment, while lucrative, risks tainting the broader industry. Unregulated products, sometimes laced with heavy metals or synthetic compounds, undermine consumer trust. The proposed bills strive to preserve the industry’s economic engine while imposing guardrails.

Take House Bill 563, a comprehensive effort from 2023 that’s been revisited. It initially aimed to regulate hemp-derived consumables but stalled when the Senate tacked on medical marijuana provisions, a contentious issue in a state wary of cannabis legalization. The 2025 bills sidestep that quagmire, focusing squarely on hemp. They propose testing for contaminants and capping THC levels in servings—75mg for edibles, 25mg for drinks. These limits aim to standardize potency, reducing the roulette of unpredictable highs.

Voices from the Ground

The debate isn’t just legislative; it’s personal. Rep. Timothy Reeder, a sponsor of House Bill 680, emphasized the daily reality: “Children do use these and buy these every day.” His words echo parents’ fears, like the Johnston County mother whose son faced involuntary commitment after consuming delta-8. Yet, industry voices push back. Cannabis advocate Rod Kight calls North Carolina’s approach one of the nation’s best, arguing it supports hemp while protecting kids. He sees licensing and testing as ways to legitimize hemp online and wholesale markets, not stifle them.

On the enforcement side, challenges loom. Alcohol Law Enforcement lacks authority to inspect vape shops proactively, relying on costly testing after complaints. The bills would change that, empowering agents to conduct random checks. But with only nine states lacking permits for such stores, North Carolina’s lag is glaring. Closing this gap could set a national precedent, especially as states like Arkansas and Texas grapple with similar issues.

A Cultural Reckoning

This legislative wave reflects a broader reckoning. Hemp intoxicating products aren’t just commodities; they’re cultural flashpoints. They embody freedom for some—access to wellness without pharmaceuticals—and danger for others, a gateway to youth addiction. North Carolina, with its blend of rural tradition and urban ambition, is navigating this divide. The bills signal a state unwilling to let a federal loophole dictate its future.

As these proposals move forward, the stakes are high. Success could mean a safer, more transparent market for hemp intoxicating products, bolstering North Carolina’s hemp legacy. Failure risks a patchwork of local bans and black-market growth, especially in hemp online and wholesale channels. The Child Fatality Task Force’s recommendations—age limits, secure packaging, no kid-friendly designs—offer a blueprint, but unity among legislators will be key.

Looking Ahead

North Carolina stands poised to redefine its hemp narrative. The nine bills, with their focus on safety and accountability, aren’t about demonizing hemp but dignifying it. They recognize the plant’s potential while confronting its risks. As debates unfold in Raleigh, the state’s farmers, entrepreneurs, and families watch closely. Will these laws curb the chaos without choking innovation? Only time will tell, but one thing’s clear: North Carolina’s hemp story is far from over.

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Reference:

1. Azofeifa, A., Pacula, R., & Mattson, M. (2021). Cannabis growers in the united states: findings from a national household survey 2010−2014. Journal of Drug Issues, 51(3), 518-530. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220426211000457

2. Bradley, E., Hoots, B., Bradley, E., & Roehler, D. (2023). Unintentional ingestion of putative delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol by two youth requiring critical care: a case report. Journal of Cannabis Research, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-023-00176-x

Hasan, K. (2023). Cannabis unveiled: an exploration of marijuana’s history, active compounds, effects, benefits, and risks on human health. Substance Abuse Research and Treatment, 17. https://doi.org/10.1177/11782218231182553