Destin Hall leads Republican lawmakers in push to ban intoxicating hemp products in North Carolina
North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall is overseeing the legislative process for House Bill 328, a Republican-backed measure that would ban most intoxicating hemp products, such as gummies and drinks, while establishing stricter age limits. The bill aims to protect children from products that currently lack age restrictions, with law enforcement officials supporting the ban to prevent minors from purchasing high-potency THC products. However, the measure faces opposition from the hemp industry, which argues that a near-total ban would devastate businesses and that age limits alone would suffice to protect consumers. While Democratic Governor Josh Stein supports the age limits, he opposes the near-total ban and has suggested that kratom could fill the market gap. The House's decision to delay a vote on the bill remains a point of contention between Republican leaders and the hemp industry. If passed, the bill would mirror federal restrictions expected to later this year, providing a state-level regulatory framework for the hemp market.