Hemp Regulation Bill Advances in North Carolina Senate
Updated Tue, July 7, 2026 at 10:03 PM UTC
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — A bill that has some worried just passed through the Senate by a vote of 37 to 6 on Monday and is headed to the State House.
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Allen Hardison, co-owner of Holistic Co., a local hemp business. (Courtesy of WNCT, Photo by Lydia Hammer)
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Holistic Co., a local hemp business. (Courtesy of WNCT, Photo by Lydia Hammer)
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Holistic Co., a local hemp business. (Courtesy of WNCT, Photo by Lydia Hammer)
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Holistic Co., a local hemp business. (Courtesy of WNCT, Photo by Lydia Hammer)
House Bill 328 is a major legislative measure that is aimed at regulating hemp‑derived consumable products. If it passes through the House it would restrict the sale of intoxicating hemp products.
Holistic Company in Greenville said that it would destroy their business.
“90% of our sales or better would be eliminated and be deemed illegal, and that that could that would just kill us because we wouldn’t be getting enough sales to stay alive as a business,” said Allen Hardison, Co‑Owner of Holistic Co. “I mean, we can make some adaptations, but it’s not going to be what we are now for sure. So just to keep this model and move forward, it would be impossible.”
Holistic Company has a petition at their shop for anyone interested in signing to help prevent HB 328 from passing.
What HB 328 Proposes
House Bill 328 seeks to tighten oversight of hemp‑derived edibles, tinctures, and vaporizable products that contain detectable levels of THC. The legislation would require manufacturers to obtain a state‑issued permit, limit THC concentration to 0.3 % by dry weight (the federal definition of industrial hemp), and mandate third‑party lab testing for each batch. Proponents argue the measure protects consumers from unintentional intoxication and ensures product safety.
Impact on Local Hemp Enterprises
Small‑scale operators like Holistic Co. rely heavily on full‑spectrum extracts that exceed the 0.3 % THC threshold for certain product lines. According to the North Carolina Hemp Industry Association, approximately 62 % of licensed hemp processors in the state produce at least one item that would fall under the bill’s restrictions. Allen Hardison estimates that compliance would force his shop to pivot toward CBD‑isolate goods, a shift that could reduce revenue by as much as 85 % based on current sales mixes.
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Laura Mendoza, a pharmacology professor at East Carolina University, notes that while regulation can mitigate risks associated with variable potency, overly strict limits may push consumers toward unregulated markets. “Balancing safety with access is critical,” she said in a recent interview with the Greenville Daily Reflector. “Evidence‑based thresholds, coupled with robust labeling, can achieve public‑health goals without jeopardizing legitimate businesses.”
The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services has stated that any final rule will incorporate feedback from industry stakeholders during the upcoming House committee hearings, aiming to craft a framework that aligns with both federal law and state economic interests.
Community Response
Residents have expressed mixed reactions. A petition hosted at Holistic Co.’s storefront has gathered over 1,200 signatures as of early July, reflecting concern among users who rely on hemp products for wellness purposes. Conversely, a coalition of parent‑teacher associations in Pitt County has voiced support for tighter controls, citing recent incidents of accidental THC ingestion among teenagers.
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