North Carolina Hemp Braces for Federal THC Limit Change
Hemp entrepreneurs in Durham and across the state are preparing for a shift that could reshape their businesses. In a recent interview, Hannah DeLange, manager of Redhead Hemp’s Durham location, described the shop as a welcoming “Canna Cafe” where customers can enjoy hemp‑infused teas, CBD gummies, Delta‑9 sangrias, and THC caramels in a setting that feels more like a coffee shop than a dispensary.
“It’s just kind of a space for all,” DeLange said. “It should be a plant for all the people, and it should be accessible.”
That vision faces an impending challenge. A provision slipped into the latest Agriculture appropriations bill—passed as part of a stop‑gap funding agreement to avert a federal shutdown—will lower the allowable THC content in hemp products to 0.4 milligrams per container, effective November 2026. DeLange and Emma MacAdam, owner of Redhead Hemp, estimate that this threshold captures roughly 99.5 percent of their current inventory, effectively banning most full‑spectrum CBD items that contain trace amounts of THC.
Why the Change Was Introduced
Supporters of the measure, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R‑Ky.), argue that the 2018 Farm Bill’s original 0.3 percent THC limit for hemp has been exploited. According to McConnell, companies have taken legal amounts of THC from hemp, concentrated them into intoxicating forms, and marketed the resulting products—often in candy‑like packaging—to minors sold at gas stations and convenience stores.
The goal, as framed by the bill’s backers, is to “keep these dangerous products out of the hands of children while preserving the hemp industry for farmers” by closing the perceived loophole.
Industry Pushback and Concerns About Youth Access
MacAdam and DeLange reject the claim that their stores target young people. Both enforce a strict over‑21 policy at their locations. DeLange added that invoking “save the children” rhetoric often masks broader fear‑mongering around cannabis, noting that alcoholic beverages—often presented in bright, attractive packaging—are not subject to the same child‑proofing requirements.
“And absolutely no talk of parent responsibility in that matter,” MacAdam said. “I think it’s a complete cop‑out.”
A Market Largely Unregulated
North Carolina has yet to enact statewide rules governing intoxicating hemp products, despite bipartisan support from the state Senate, Governor Josh Stein (D), and Attorney General Jeff Jackson (D). In February, the state’s child‑care task force reported a 600 percent increase in emergency‑room visits for minors linked to cannabis use since 2019. Stein later launched an advisory council, calling the unregulated market “the wild west” and urging regulatory action.
Attorney General Jackson joined 38 other states’ attorneys general in a letter to Congress requesting clarification of the federal definition of hemp during the appropriations process, warning that state‑by‑state bans would create an uneven patchwork and fail to stop the flow of mail‑order THC products across state lines.
Several bills aimed at introducing basic safeguards—such as age‑restriction requirements, child‑proof packaging, and warning labels—were introduced in the North Carolina legislature this year but stalled in the House Rules Committee, now chaired by Rep. John Bell (R‑Wayne), who also leads the hemp company Asterra Labs. Bell did not respond to requests for comment.
Impact on Farmers and Small Businesses
The forthcoming ban threatens more than retail shops. Dana Rider, co‑owner of Otherside Farm in Buncombe County, grows floral or smokable hemp used to produce CBD products. Rider said the farm’s livelihood depends on the ability to sell full‑spectrum extracts, which would be prohibited under the new THC limit.
“We have a year to either figure it out or we have a year to just like, crush it and fight for the plant and hope that we can change this with legislation,” Rider said, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the sector.
While some producers may pivot to CBD isolates—products with all THC removed—Otherside Farm lacks the equipment needed for that process. Without the ability to adapt, Rider fears the farm could cease operations.
Looking Ahead
In the coming months, hemp business owners plan to engage with lawmakers, urge supporters to contact state and federal representatives, and continue selling existing inventory until the ban takes effect. MacAdam emphasized the community aspect of the industry: “We carry a lot of small businesses, a lot of family‑run businesses, so we’re really worried about our friends.”
For now, shops like Redhead Hemp remain open, offering a space where customers can explore hemp‑based wellness options while navigating an uncertain regulatory landscape.
Source: Here
