State Senate passes bill to keep Hemp legal in North Carolina

Sen. Jackson spearheaded effort to save small businesses, farmers after House removed hemp language from the Farm Act

Raleigh, N.C. – The Senate passed Senate Bill 455 to keep hemp legal in North Carolina and allow small businesses that sell CBD and hemp products to remain open.

Photo from NC General Assembly Website

The Senate previously passed a version of Senate Bill 455, but the House removed the language from that bill. That put farmers and small business owners who grow and sell hemp products in a precarious position as they waited for legislative action to determine their livelihood.

“It’s unfortunate that for so long these farmers and small business owners have been left in the lurch,” Sen. Brent Jackson (R-Sampson, Duplin, Johnston) said. “It doesn’t matter the size of the farm or the crops that are grown, I will support farmers and work to ensure they can thrive. I’m thankful that my Senate colleagues stand with farmers, and I urge Gov. Cooper to sign this legislation immediately.”

Senate Bill 455 removes hemp and hemp products from the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act and conforms with federal THC regulations.

If this bill does not become law, hemp and hemp products will become illegal on July 1.

The Senate also approved the Farm Act today with a 41-2 vote.