2,908 acres of hemp were planted in North Carolina in 2020, up from 3,184 acres in 2019
On this page you will find North Carolina hemp law along with a history of how North Carolina hemp bills have progressed through the State capitol over the years. We also provide links to important information concerning North Carolina hemp programs and state agency advisories or opinion letters.
The North Carolina Attorney General legal opinion on the state hemp program, opinion includes the transfer of hemp seed to and from states which have hemp programs
Farmers may get to grow and sell smokable hemp for another year. A legislative committee on Wednesday endorsed changes...
2019
S 315
North Carolina Farm Act of 2019
Implement a state hemp program in accordance with Section 10113 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement Act OF 2018
2016
H 992
Amend Industrial Hemp Law
The Proposed Committee Substitute (PCS) for H992 would (i) expand the membership
of the Industrial Hemp Commission (Commission), (ii) clarify the powers and duties of the Commission, including granting rulemaking authority to the Commission, and provide that the industrial hemp research program must be managed and coordinated by State land grant universities, (iii) set out specific responsibilities of licensees and authorized research purposes for the industrial hemp program, (iv) create civil and criminal penalties for various violations of the industrial hemp program, and (v) amend the definition of marijuana to allow for the production of industrial hemp when the Commission adopts temporary rules to implement the program.
POSITION: Support
STATUS: Signed by Gov. McCrory on 7/11/2016
2015
S 313
Industrial Hemp
An act to recognize the importance and legitimacy of industrial hemp research, to provide for compliance with portions of the Federal Agricultural Act of 2014, and to promote increased agricultural employment for North Carolina farmers.
STATUS: Became law without Governor’s signature on October 31, 2015
HB 766
Amend CBD Oil Statute
An act amending the exemption for use or possession of hemp extract and permitting the use of hemp extract as an alternative treatment for intractable epilepsy without participating in a pilot study and repealing the epilepsy alternative treatment act in 2021.
2006
H 1723
“The Studies Act of 2006”
Creates an independent commission to study the beneficial uses of industrial hemp, among other studies. Introduced on 5/11/05. Edition 5 of H 1723 incorporating S 1572 (see below) adopted and ratified on 7/27/06. Signed and passed into law by Gov. Easley on 8/16/06.
Download the text of H 1723 as Introduced here (PDF file 57k).
Download the text of H 1723 as Signed here (PDF file 181k).
S 1572
“Study Beneficial Uses of Industrial Hemp”
Creates an independent commission to study the beneficial uses of industrial hemp. Introduced on 5/17/06 and referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations on 5/18/06. Incorporated into H 1723 (see above) on 7/27/06.
Download the text of S 1572 as Introduced here (PDF file 18k).
Download the text of S 1572 Edition 1 here (PDF file 18k).