INDUSTRY UPDATES
July 12, 2019
ACTION NEEDED: Pending Policy Update From North Carolina
North Carolina Hemp Supporters – We can make a change with your help TODAY!
Over the past few months, the North Carolina General Assembly has been evaluating Senate Bill 315 – North Carolina Farm Act of 2019. Although the bill began as a collaborative effort between the bill’s sponsors, the hemp industry and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services positions the state as a leader in hemp production, a new version released yesterday significantly jeopardizes the industry’s future.
During a meeting of the House Committee on Finance, the Committee’s Chair, Rep. Julia Howard introduced a proposed amendment that would alter the state’s definition of a “hemp product” in a way that could be construed as a ban on all retail CBD products until expressly approved at the federal level by the Food and Drug Administration or the Department of Agriculture. The proposed amendment would also define smokable hemp as marijuana, subject to the same legal penalties for possession.
Chairman Howard indicated that she plans to hold a vote on her version of the bill early next week, likely Tuesday or Wednesday. Use our portal to contact your legislators TODAY, urging them to help us block the efforts of Chairwoman Howard to pass this harmful legislation.