North Carolina lawmakers have advanced legislation that would impose new restrictions on hemp-derived THC products, kratom and xylazine, moving it closer to a final House vote.

On July 30, a House conference committee formally reported the negotiated version of House Bill 328 and sent it to the House Rules, Calendar, and Operations Committee. The referral is the latest recorded action on the measure and places it in position to be scheduled for a final House vote.

The Senate adopted the conference report in a 37–6 vote on July 2. The House must now approve the same report before the legislation can be sent to State Governor Josh Stein for consideration. No House vote on the conference report had been recorded as of July 31.

Under the proposal, North Carolina would replace its delta-9-only hemp threshold with a total THC standard that includes THCA, delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC and other forms of THC. Finished hemp-derived cannabinoid products intended for consumption would be limited to 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container beginning November 12. Products containing synthetic or chemically converted cannabinoids would also be prohibited.

The measure would separately prohibit the sale or delivery of hemp-derived consumable products to anyone under 21 and prohibit possession by those under 21. Violations would be Class 2 misdemeanors, with escalating civil penalties for businesses that illegally sell the products.

Notably, the conference report continues to list July 15, 2026, as the effective date for the under-21 hemp and kratom provisions, even though that date passed before the House formally reported the agreement. No updated version changing the effective date has been posted.

The bill would also prohibit synthetic kratom products, establish a minimum age of 21 for kratom possession and sales, and add xylazine to Schedule III of North Carolina’s controlled substances list beginning December 1.