North Carolina Hemp Bill Could Eliminate Smokable Hemp- Call to Action

If enacted, a pending North Carolina farm bill would prohibit smokable hemp.

This post was written by attorney Kamran Aryah with the Kight on Cannabis law firm.

On Monday North Carolina Senate Bill 315 (“SB 315” or “the Bill”) passed the NC Senate by a margin of 31-14. It is now bound for a series of legislative committees before the NC House will vote on it. SB 315 will establish a state hemp cultivation and regulation program that is in line with the 2018 Farm Bill. This is all well and good, and many other states are in the process of doing the same.

However, the Bill also contains some distinctly problematic provisions concerning smokable hemp flower. Last month, we wrote about the NC State Board of Investigation (SBI) wishlist pertaining to hemp and CBD issues, where the SBI took a particularly hard line stance on hemp flower. The SBI contends that since hemp flower and marijuana flower can sometimes be indistinguishable, SB 315 would effectively legalize marijuana legal in North Carolina. We were not persuaded by this, or any of the other arguments SBI made that sought to limit the legal status of hemp in North Carolina. With this latest version of SB 315 to pass the Senate, the SBI’s wishes may come true at least as far as hemp flower is concerned.

The most recent version of SB 315 creates novel civil and criminal penalties for the possession and sale of “smokable hemp”, which is basically hemp flower, or any hemp that is ground or rolled into hemp cigarettes (detailed definition below). There is an exception for licensed hemp cultivators and processor when in possession of the smokable hemp for the purposes of processing into a lawful hemp product. If the smokable hemp is sold to a consumer, the seller can be liable regardless of whether or not s/he holds a license.

Here are the current bill provisions:

  • 106-568.66. Civil penalties states:

(a) The Commissioner may assess a civil penalty of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) per violation against any person who…

…(5) Knowingly or intentionally manufactures, delivers, sells, or possesses smokable hemp, except for hemp plants or parts of a hemp plant grown or handled by a licensee for processing or manufacturing into a legal hemp product.

  • 106-568.67. Criminal penalties states:

Any person that knowingly or intentionally manufactures, delivers, sells, or possesses smokable hemp, except for hemp plants or parts of a hemp plant grown or handled by a licensee for processing or manufacturing into a legal hemp product, shall be deemed guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The Bill defines “Smokable Hemp” at § 106-568.61. “Definitions” as:

(14) “Smokable hemp” means a product that does not exceed the federally defined THC level for hemp in a form that allows THC to be introduced into the human body by inhalation of smoke. “Smokable hemp” includes hemp buds, hemp flowers, whole or ground raw hemp plant material, hemp cigars, and hemp cigarettes.

Smokable Hemp is not included in the definition of “Hemp Product” under the Bill:

“Hemp product” means any product within the federally defined THC level for hemp derived from, or made by, processing hemp plants or plant parts, that  are prepared in a form available for commercial sale, including, but not limited to, cosmetics, personal care products, food intended for animal or human consumption as approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration or the United States Department of Agriculture, cloth, cordage, fiber, fuel, paint, paper, particleboard, plastics, and any product containing one or more hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol. “Hemp product” does not include smokable hemp.

Part of this definition for Hemp Product requires that it is in a form available for commercial sale. Removing Smokable Hemp from this definition of Hemp Product implies that Smokable Hemp is not eligible for sale in North Carolina under this version of the Bill. The civil and criminal penalties back up this position.

Oddly enough, Smokable Hemp does, however, remain excluded from the definition of “Marijuana” under NC law. § 90-87 “Definitions” states:

(16) “Marijuana” … [The term] does not include hemp products, hemp extracts, or smokable hemp

So what does this all mean? Ostensibly, SB 315 would create a new category of crime, namely, the possession and sale of hemp flower. This new crime doesn’t fall under the state Controlled Substances Act marijuana penalties, since smokable hemp is not marijuana. Instead, it creates an entirely new category of cannabis that is somehow both “hemp”, and “not hemp” at the same time. Smokable hemp must meet the definition of hemp by being within the federal THC limit. However, it is not legal for commercial sale or possession by the general public  if it can be smoked. This is a novel way to categorize hemp and seems disingenuous compared to the plain language of both the federal and North Carolina definitions of hemp. NC defines hemp as:

Hemp. – The plant Cannabis sativa (L.) and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, within the federally defined THC level for hemp.

The federal definition of hemp is essentially the same, except that it specifies that hemp’s lawful status depends on whether it contains delta-9-THC concentrations not in excess of 0.3% by dry weight. Both definitions include the phrase “and all of that plant”, which necessarily includes the flowers. The definitions of hemp and smokable hemp are at odds with each other.

There is nothing in the Farm Bill definition of hemp that purports to make hemp flower illegal or determines legal and non-legal hemp by whether or not one is capable of smoking it. In no version of federal hemp legislation have we seen marijuana, hemp, or any type of cannabis classified based on its smokablity. Frankly, this is patently absurd since it is technically possible for a person to smoke any part of the hemp plant. In fact, one can smoke almost anything.

While there remains a question as to whether states can outlaw the sale of hemp, the Farm Bill does prohibit states from making laws that interfere with interstate transport of hemp. If this Bill passes as is, the result would be a massive chilling effect on transport of hemp through NC, as neighboring producers will be hesitant to raise suspicion that they are selling “smokable hemp” in the state. Or, even more likely, the North Carolina law will fall, at least with respect to transporters of hemp. The irony of this occurrence is that the SBI will still have to deal with the issue of determining whether a particular load of cannabis is legal hemp or illegal marijuana, while chilling the production and sale of a safe, valuable, and much desired product.

At SECTION 14.(d) The Bill states that it shall review this policy pending a few occurrences:

“The State Bureau of Investigation shall notify the Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study Commission in writing when the United States Drug Enforcement Agency has adopted an approved immediate testing method to determine whether hemp is within the federally defined THC level for hemp. Upon the receipt of notification from the State Bureau of Investigation, the Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study Commission shall study whether the prohibition on the sale of smokable hemp should be repealed and make legislative recommendations.”

The Bill cedes discretion to the SBI as to when this policy is reviewed. Not only has the DEA recognized hemp as lawful, but Attorney General William Barr indicated prior to confirmation that he was essentially retaining the Cole Memo policy of allowing actors in marijuana legal states to cultivate and possess marijuana in line with state law without federal prosecution. In fact, field tests currently exist and are in use in Europe. Attorney Rod Kight presented one to the Senate Agriculture Committee at a hearing a few weeks ago:

Rod Kight recently presented this European hemp field test to the NC Senate Agriculture Committee. (Thanks to Luciano Mocciola and CAMO for providing the test.)

If SB 315 becomes law, it would lay a huge portion of the NC hemp market to waste. All hemp flower would have to be processed into an acceptable, extracted, and commercially marketable form, and contain delta-9-THC concentrations at or below 0.3% before being lawfully sold to in NC. The Bill re-criminalizes the sale of hemp flower and is at direct odds with the economic interests of the state, which is poised to flourish next year as one of the leaders in hemp production in the country. In fact, growing hemp for quality smokable flower is one of the most lucrative ways to farm hemp. Surely, the NC state legislature does not want to hamstring NC farmers?

The House Agriculture Committee meets this Tuesday (6-25-19). We strongly encourage you to write, call, and have lunch with your legislators and encourage them to support smokable hemp flower in NC. In fact, the NC Industrial Hemp Association (NCIHA) is actively working to educate and encourage the NC Legislature not to ban smokable hemp flower. The Executive Director, Blake Butler, is making weekly visits to Raleigh for meetings with the NC General Assembly. You can visit the NCIHIA’s website by clicking here. The website includes information about the NC House Agriculture Committee members.

As always, we remain here to address your specific hemp business legal concerns on a more in depth level.

June 21, 2019

This post was written by Kight on Cannabis attorney Kamran Aryah. He works closely with clients to develop compliance strategies. Kight on Cannabis is a law firm founded by attorney Rod Kight that represents legal cannabis businesses. You can contact us by clicking here.

16 comments on “North Carolina Hemp Bill Could Eliminate Smokable Hemp- Call to ActionAdd yours →

  1. Numerous times over the past few weeks I have called the offices of some of the sponsors of SB315, including Senator Jackson’s, expressing my concerns over the proposed ban on smokable hemp. And as far as I could tell, not a single Senator who sponsored the original bill was interested in having the actual ban go into effect. The latest GS additions related to smokable hemp were designed to placate SBI and local LE concerns, and moving the deadline for the ban back to December 1, 2020 was intended to allow enough time for a workable solution to be found, in terms of packaging, labeling, and reliable LE field testing. However, after re-reading the SBI memo—which incidentally was never suppose to be released to the public—I find the tone to be quite hysterical and confrontational. I have serious reservations that the SBI along with a number of local LE and DA’s offices will be willing to negotiate in good faith with NCIHA, NCHC, and the NC Dept. of Agriculture in order to find a solution within the allotted timeframe; and ultimately the ban, along with newly imposed civil and criminal penalties for possession and sale of hemp flower, will be enacted. Because of this, farmers, sellers, distributors, and anyone with a financial stake in North Carolina’s nascent hemp industry need to ban together and push back with a strong concerted effort in the next couple of weeks and lobby to have the House version remove the current language pertaining to the ban and imposed civil and criminal penalties for possession and sale of smokable hemp flower, while also pushing to have smokable hemp included within the definition of hemp product. I absolutely agree with you that if the current language remains, and the bill passes the General Assembly, it will not only hurt NC farmers and businesses alike, but it will definitely hinder the potential North Carolina could have as a leading state in the US hemp industry.

    However, and more importantly, doesn’t this bill first have to be submitted and ultimately approved by the USDA before it can be enacted into state law? And if the law is approved by the USDA with the current language intact, wouldn’t that mean the USDA is potentially allowing for civil and criminal penalties to be levied upon the USPS if it delivers a package containing smokable hemp from an out-of-state vendor to a customer who lives in North Carolina? Wouldn’t that vendor also be liable for the same penalties for knowingly shipping to a customer with a North Carolina address? How is that going to work? Seems to me the Senate has erroneously caved to misinformation and unnecessary fear-mongering. It is imperative that the House fix the wording and draft a better version!

  2. Just another money grab by uneducated law enforvement who are to scared to do real police work. I dont see them with the same passion towards getting heroin, opiods, or meth off nc streets

    1. Hemp and CBD have helped me eliminate over 75% of meds I have been taking for mental illnesses and sleep deprivation. Instead of prescription sleep medication that IS addictive, I can take CBD or smoke CBD flower and sleep better without feeling exhausted the next day like I was taking prescription medication. Marijuana IS not addictive, prescription meds are. Ban opioid and sleep medication and legalize marijuana. If law enforcement is wanting to ban something so they can arrest more people, that’s a problem. And law enforcement is neglecting to tell the fact that most K-9’s now are NOT trained on marijuana alerts and instead focus more on opioids. To N.C. elected officials…..legalize marijuana and do not ban hemp flower or approve this ridiculous bill to appease law enforcement. Instead, invest that time and effort on studies and education of hemp products. There are stories nationwide of what this flower can accomplish.

  3. Thank you for your synopsis of it all. So many articles weekly. This roller coaster is a tough one for certain. And Brian W makes a good angle of points- how so many vendors could be involved illegally, unknowingly. Every step forward seems like 20 back. Continually pressing forward! Thanks for the info Atty Kight.

  4. Leave well enough alone!
    Hemp saves lives and would make a lot of money for the state!
    It’s stupid to NOT make marijuana as a whole legal!

    1. Lalena- I suggest commenting based on your own experience, whether it be as a farmer, retailer, and/or someone who uses smokable hemp.

  5. The ban on “smokable hemp” in the latest version of this bill must be rejected by all right-thinking NC legislators.
    The arguments by law enforcement, including the SBI, are total garbage. How can they say there’s no test to distinguish “marijuana” from “hemp” with under 0.3% THC when hemp farmers whose fields exceeded that ridiculously low and arbitrary number have had their fields destroyed? Certainly, LE could have any quantity exceeding 10 lbs. (large enough to charge as “with intent to sell”) tested. Clearly, what they want is to be able to harass even those possessing such small quantities that it would be a “no jail time” misdemeanor if it were marijuana rather than hemp bud. And if they can’t tell the difference and it’s not worth the bother or expense of testing, I say “boo hoo”. Let it go and put your time and effort towards catching some REAL criminals.

  6. OK, so, let me get this straight: There is an Opioid Epidemic in NC and our law enforcement, SBI, and Local Government have no clue what to do about it.
    Now, there’s a proven medical fact that Hemp helps people get off Opioids, Tobacco, refrain from excessive alcohol, helps depression, anxiety, and pain. But they want to “ban” this “SOLUTION” to some of our major illnesses and addictions? Are you kidding me? Their reasons for banning are equally ridiculous, as they claim they have no way to test the difference between smokable hemp and marijuana; yet Europe has no problems with THEIR test kits. So, what’s the problem? Don’t re-invent the wheel. The solution to SO Many issues are right in from of these people and they want to ban it? Sounds to me like there are a lot of legislative representatives casting votes for “Personal” reasons, rather than on a “common sense” level. Those who have Large Money Stocks wrapped up in Pharmaceuticals, maybe? Is that who we have voting for this ban? This was not to be brought up for voting again until December of 2020. SBI and Law Enforment were to use this time-frame to come up with viable solutions. Yet, the “Powers That Be” are RUSHING to get this ban passed. Why? Because they have no interest in helping the local farmer, the drug addicted, alcohol or tobacco addictions, improve our health insurance premiums, or help flourish our overall NC State Economy. How do we know this? Because the NCIHC has offered to partner together, with Law Enforcement, the SBI, and Loval Government to come up with solutions, and instead of working together, (fearing a workable solution) they RUSH to get this ban passed! WE need to band together as NC citizens, write every one of them, and fight for what is right for North Carolinians and the overall well-being and economy of our State.

Leave a Reply to Rod Kight Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *