North Carolina legislators have finally completed the General Assembly’s annual agriculture policy bill, albeit the one that was first debated in 2019.

The Senate gave final approval on Thursday to a compromise measure that also got House support on Wednesday.

An agreement between House and Senate negotiators last summer got waylaid over controversies on hemp production and farmers who want to offer shooting sports on their land. Language addressing both topics were omitted from the final bill now heading to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk for his requested signature.

The main issue over hemp was the legality of smokable hemp, which lacks the concentration of the compound that gives marijuana its high. Law enforcement wanted smokable hemp banned, saying the look and smell make it impossible to differentiate from illegal marijuana in police actions. Farmers who produce it say the crop is profitable.

The final measure also leaves out a broader regulatory structure to expand industrial hemp production in North Carolina.

Sen. Brent Jackson, a Sampson County Republican and chief Senate bill negotiator, said North Carolina hemp will continue to follow rules under a production pilot project. He said retaining the pilot makes sense since federal rules that would expand production have been changing.

Related Stories
‹
NC Governor Signs Bill That Keeps Hemp Industry Lawful
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed legislation on Thursday that keeps the state’s burgeoning hemp industry operating lawfully. The General Assembly had given final approval Wednesday to language that would make hemp products for industrial use and others with personal care uses like CBD permanently exempt from the state’s list of […]
North Carolina Adopts New Trump-Backed US House Districts Aimed at Gaining a Republican Seat
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican legislative leaders completed their remapping of the state’s U.S. House districts on Wednesday, intent on picking up one more seat to help President Donald Trump’s efforts to retain GOP control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections. The new boundaries approved by the […]
North Carolina Court: GOP Can Narrow Governor’s Appointment Powers on Some Boards
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Decade-long political quarrels over legislative and executive powers in North Carolina advanced Wednesday as a state appeals court permitted the Republican-controlled General Assembly to chip away at the Democratic governor’s appointment authority for several key commissions. The judges also said lawmakers went too far remaking other boards. A […]
North Carolina GOP Announce Plans to Vote on New House Map Amid Nationwide Redistricting Battle
North Carolina Republican legislative leaders announced plans to vote on redrawing the state's U.S. House district map for 2026 elections.
North Carolina Governor Signs Criminal Justice Bill Into Law After Ukrainian Refugee’s Death
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed a criminal justice bill into law in response to the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee in Charlotte.
North Carolina Medicaid Patients Face Care Access Threat as Funding Impasse Continues
North Carolina Medicaid patients face reduced access to services as an legislative impasse over state Medicaid funding extends further.
North Carolina Legislature Passes ‘Iryna’s Law’ After Refugee’s Stabbing Death
In response to the stabbing death of a Ukrainian refugee on Charlotte’s light rail system, the North Carolina legislature gave final approval Tuesday to a criminal justice package that limits bail and seeks to ensure more defendants undergo mental health evaluations.
Sen. Graig Meyer Shares Updates on State Budget Impasse, Medicaid, Disaster Relief and More
Ahead of the North Carolina General Assembly reconvening, state Sen. Graig Meyer joined 97.9 The Hill to discuss several topics on his mind.
North Carolina Voter ID and Tax Cap Amendments Are Enforceable, Judges Rule
Two North Carolina constitutional amendments approved in 2018 — including a voter ID mandate — are enforceable, a trial court panel ruled.
A Democratic Governor, A Republican Legislature: How Josh Stein Navigates North Carolina Politics
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has taken an unusual approach with Republicans in his first eight months leading the highly competitive state.
›