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Economic impact

Measure the whole ecosystem.

A framework for evaluating jobs, storefronts, agriculture, manufacturing, tax activity, and the costs of policy change—with sources attached.

Jobs supported16,149

Estimated direct and indirect employment.

Annual wages$702.5M

Estimated wages associated with those jobs.

Annual revenue$3.2B

Estimated hemp-related business revenue.

Total economic impact$4.4B

Modeled statewide economic contribution.

State sales tax$87.8M

Estimated annual state sales-tax contribution.

Retail storefronts2,197

Estimated active North Carolina storefronts.

Important context

These are 2026 estimates from a Whitney Economics study presented by CBHD, an industry organization. They are not government employment counts. “Jobs supported” does not mean every job would automatically be lost under one proposal; the actual effect would depend on the final law, implementation, business adaptation, and market response.

A note on economic claims

Large headline figures can describe different geographies, years, or market categories. NC Hemp Facts publishes each number with its source, date, scope, and sponsorship so readers can evaluate it in context.

What good analysis includes

  • North Carolina-specific data where available
  • Direct, indirect, and induced impacts identified separately
  • Clear distinction between revenue, economic output, and tax receipts
  • Transparent assumptions and publication dates

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