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Bill

SB 328

Age 21 Hemp-Derived Consumables.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Michael Lazzara and 2 co-sponsors

North Carolina requires consumers to be age 21+ to purchase hemp-derived consumable products, bringing regulatory parity with alcohol and tobacco.

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Bill Summary · SB 328

Legislative bill overview

SB 328 establishes a minimum age requirement of 21 for the purchase and consumption of hemp-derived consumable products in North Carolina. The bill applies regulatory restrictions similar to tobacco and alcohol products to hemp-derived items, requiring age verification at point of sale.

Why is this important

Hemp-derived products like delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC gummies have proliferated in retail markets as legal alternatives to regulated cannabis, creating a regulatory gap. Establishing an age floor addresses concerns about youth access to psychoactive substances while clarifying the legal status of these products in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Federalism questions: Hemp-derived products occupy a gray area under federal law (Farm Bill); state-level age restrictions may conflict with evolving federal guidance on intoxicating hemp cannabinoids
  • Retail enforcement complexity: The bill places compliance burden on retailers to verify age for products currently sold without restrictions in many establishments, requiring new point-of-sale infrastructure
  • Definition ambiguity: The scope of "hemp-derived consumables" may need clarification—whether it applies to all cannabinoid products or specifically psychoactive variants, and how it interacts with existing pharmaceutical and supplement regulations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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