North Carolina Effort to Ban Smokable Hemp Moves Forward
[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap] new effort in North Carolina is underway to ban smokable hemp, while continuing to allow CBD-based topical, oils and other products. Senate Bill 352 would North Carolina’s Controlled Substances Act.
The proposed ban would impose a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for anyone who is caught manufacturing, selling or possessing smokable hemp. The bill would also expand the state’s pilot hemp growing program, with over 1,000 licensed hemp growers and 600 registered hemp processors.
Advocates and some researchers say that CBD-rich hemp cigarettes help them to quit tobacco. “This is the fastest way to feel the effects of CBD and other cannabinoids,” Charlotte CBD owner Mike Sims told FOX 46. “It’s as safe as you can get for smoking things. It’s great for anxiety, it’s great for inflammation, it’s great for relaxation.”
North Carolina police officers say that they have no way of distinguishing smokable hemp from cannabis. The only difference between the two is the THC content. While cannabis has enough THC to feel the effects, hemp is defined as having 0.3 percent of THC or less which produces virtually no psychoactive effects. But since hemp contains CBD, it is beneficial in other areas. In states with no legal cannabis program, or limited programs, CBD or hemp cigarettes are popular.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations said the bill would be “closing loopholes that prevent law enforcement officers from carrying out their duties.” On July 17, the bill was referred to the Committee On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House. The bill was heard again at the House Judiciary Committee on July 24.
Recently Indiana, Louisiana and Texas banned smokable hemp entirely, and Kansas banned some products including hemp cigarettes and cigars. Tennessee, on the other hand, prohibited smokable hemp sales to minors.
