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NC HEMP FACTSSign petition

Preferred policy path · Regulation

SB 265 protects consumers without erasing the market.

The Protecting Our Community Act proposes an adult-only, licensed, tested, and labeled hemp market. NC Hemp Facts supports this regulate-not-eliminate approach.

NC HEMP FACTS SUPPORTS THIS APPROACHRegulate responsibly. Do not eliminate.

SB 265 is not a do-nothing proposal. It creates detailed rules for sellers, manufacturers, distributors, testing laboratories, packaging, and enforcement.

What SB 265 would establish

21+ sales and delivery controls

Retail sales to anyone under 21 would be prohibited. Online sellers would verify age and use adult-signature delivery.

Licensing across the supply chain

Sellers, manufacturers, and distributors would need state licenses, creating identifiable and accountable operators.

Independent batch testing

Each manufactured batch would require sampling and a certificate of analysis from a qualified third-party laboratory.

Child-resistant packaging and warnings

Products would need child-resistant packaging plus ingredient, impairment, pregnancy, FDA-status, and keep-away-from-children disclosures.

Enforcement with escalating penalties

Violations could result in civil penalties, license suspension or revocation, product forfeiture, and—in specified manufacturing or distribution cases—criminal penalties.

A regulated adult market

The bill regulates consumable products under the existing 0.3% delta-9 THC dry-weight framework rather than imposing HB 328’s 0.4 mg total-THC-per-container ceiling.

HB 328 vs. SB 265

ISSUEHB 328SB 265
Basic approach0.4 mg total THC per containerLicensed adult market
Age restriction21+21+
Business licensingNot the central framework in the adopted conference textSeller, manufacturer, and distributor licenses
Product testingDoes not create SB 265’s full batch-testing systemIndependent testing and COAs for each batch
Packaging & labelsLimited compared with SB 265Child-resistant packaging and detailed warnings
Likely market effectRemoves many current consumable productsPreserves products that meet regulated standards
Status as of July 30, 2026

The official General Assembly page lists SB 265’s last action as referral to Senate Rules on March 12, 2025. It has not advanced like HB 328. Supporting the policy approach may therefore require lawmakers to move SB 265 or incorporate its regulatory framework into another vehicle.

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