Proposed limit mirrors upcoming federal rule; Senate passed measure, House action still pending
By Coastal Carolina News Staff Writer
North Carolina lawmakers are considering a proposal that would sharply restrict hemp‑derived consumable products statewide. House Bill HB 328, titled “Regulate Hemp‑Derived Consumables,” would impose a 0.4 milligram total THC limit per container on finished hemp products, a threshold that would effectively remove most gummies, beverages, vapes and other intoxicating hemp items from the legal market.
The measure has already cleared the Senate with bipartisan support.
The House did not take up the bill before adjourning, leaving the proposal pending until lawmakers return to Raleigh. If enacted, the legislation would align North Carolina with a new federal standard scheduled to take effect on November 12, 2026, which also sets a 0.4 milligram total THC limit for hemp‑derived consumables.
Retailers across Brunswick and Columbus counties say the proposed cap would eliminate nearly all products currently driving customer demand. Many gummies and THC beverages sold in local shops contain several milligrams of delta‑8, delta‑9 or THCA per serving, far above the 0.4 milligram per‑container ceiling outlined in the bill. Vape cartridges and hemp flower marketed for intoxicating effects would also fall outside the allowable limit.
The bill includes additional provisions such as a minimum purchase age of 21, packaging and labeling requirements, and civil penalties for selling non‑compliant products. Supporters argue the measure is needed to regulate an expanding market and to prepare for federal changes. Opponents say the proposal amounts to a de facto ban on the state’s intoxicating hemp sector and would significantly impact small businesses that have built product lines around higher‑THC consumables.
North Carolina’s hemp economy has grown rapidly since federal legalization in 2018, with trade groups estimating a multi‑billion‑dollar statewide market. Local retailers, grow farmers and manufacturers are watching closely as the General Assembly considers whether to adopt the new THC limit ahead of the federal deadline.
House Bill 328 remains eligible for consideration when lawmakers reconvene. If the House approves the measure, it would move to the Governor for final action.
Source: NC General Assembly, HB 328
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