Protesters pack NC legislature as lawmakers, police push for hemp ban

Key Points:

• Hundreds of protesters gathered at the North Carolina state legislature ahead of a planned vote on a Republican-backed bill to ban most intoxicating hemp products, including gummies, drinks, and vape items, aimed at protecting children from these products.
• The bill, which passed the Senate last month but was delayed in the House, would ban hemp products with THC levels above certain limits and impose stricter age restrictions, setting the legal purchase age at 21, but has divided the hemp industry and law enforcement.
• Supporters of the ban, including law enforcement officials, argue the products target children and pose public safety risks, while business owners and industry representatives contend the bill is overly broad and harms a multi-billion-dollar industry that supports thousands of jobs.
• Governor Josh Stein supports age limits but opposes the near-total ban, raising concerns about alternative substances like kratom and emphasizing the need for balanced regulation rather than outright prohibition; the bill awaits a House vote and possible gubernatorial approval or veto.
• Besides the hemp bill, the House is also expected to consider technical budget corrections, funding for sporting events, and controversial election law changes that include early voting restrictions and expanded audit powers, with Democrats proposing countermeasures likely to fail in the GOP-controlled legislature.