North Carolina legislators moved forward this week with a bill that would prohibit anyone under 21 from purchasing or possessing hemp-derived consumable products, marking the latest effort by states to regulate the largely unmonitored hemp market.
The measure, which advanced through committee, targets smokable hemp flower, hemp cigarettes, gummies, beverages, and other consumable items containing hemp-derived compounds. Kratom products would also fall under the age restriction.
"There are a lot of other details surrounding cannabis that have been discussed and will continue to be discussed," Christine Zhu reported for NC Newsline.
The bill comes as North Carolina grapples with the regulatory gap created by the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp at the federal level but left states scrambling to address the proliferation of intoxicating hemp products. Hemp-derived delta-8 THC and other cannabinoids have flooded gas stations, convenience stores, and online retailers with minimal oversight.
The regulatory challenge
North Carolina has no adult-use cannabis program, but hemp-derived products containing delta-8, delta-9 THC (under 0.3% by dry weight), and other cannabinoids remain legal and widely available. The state's hemp industry has grown rapidly, with dozens of processors and thousands of retail locations selling products that can produce psychoactive effects similar to traditional cannabis.
The proposed age limit would align hemp products with alcohol and tobacco regulations. Currently, many hemp retailers set their own age policies, with some requiring customers to be 18 or older while others have no restrictions at all.
Industry advocates have pushed for clearer regulations, arguing that age limits and testing requirements would help legitimize the hemp market. But the patchwork of state laws has created confusion for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Broader cannabis conversation
The hemp bill arrives as North Carolina continues to debate broader cannabis policy. Medical marijuana legislation has stalled in recent sessions despite growing public support. A 2023 poll showed 72% of North Carolina voters favor legalizing medical cannabis, yet the General Assembly has yet to pass comprehensive reform.
Some lawmakers view hemp regulation as a stepping stone toward more substantive cannabis policy. Others see it as a way to address immediate public health concerns without wading into the politically charged marijuana debate.
The inclusion of kratom in the age restriction bill reflects growing scrutiny of the herbal supplement, which has faced regulatory pressure from the FDA despite its popularity among consumers seeking pain relief and opioid alternatives.
What's next
The bill still needs approval from the full legislature before reaching the governor's desk. If enacted, North Carolina would join more than a dozen states that have imposed age limits on hemp products in the past two years.
Retailers would need to verify customer ages for hemp and kratom purchases, similar to existing requirements for alcohol and tobacco. Penalties for violations have not been detailed in current versions of the legislation.
The timeline for a floor vote remains unclear. Legislative sessions often see cannabis-related measures stall or get attached to larger bills as political maneuvering intensifies.
This article is based on original reporting by www.marijuanamoment.net.
