To: The Governor of North Carolina, Members of the North Carolina General Assembly, and all relevant regulatory agencies.

Subject: Preserve Legal, Regulated Hemp Products in North Carolina

We, the undersigned residents, consumers, business owners, veterans, patients, and advocates across the State of North Carolina, respectfully submit this petition urging our elected leaders to maintain the legality of regulated hemp & hemp-derived products for adults aged 21 and older.

North Carolina does not currently provide access to medical cannabis, so for many residents—especially veterans, individuals with chronic pain, and those seeking safe alternatives to pharmaceuticals—regulated hemp products offer the only safe, effective & legal option for relief and wellness support for North Carolina residence. 

Why North Carolina Must Keep Regulated Hemp Legal

1. Protect Public Health and Safety

Regulated hemp products sold in licensed North Carolina businesses undergo vigorous lab testing, age restrictions, and packaging standards.
If these products are banned, demand will not go away—consumers will instead turn to unregulated, untested, and unsafe sources, putting public health at far greater risk.
Maintaining a legal, controlled market is the best method of ensuring safety, responsible use, and age verification.

2. Preserve Jobs and Small Businesses

North Carolina’s hemp industry supports:

Thousands of jobs

Small family farms

Retailers across urban and rural communities

Distributors, manufacturers, and testing laboratories

Banning regulated hemp products would cause widespread layoffs, shutter businesses, and damage NC’s agricultural and economic landscape.

3. Protect State Tax Revenue

Regulated hemp product sales generate significant sales tax revenue for North Carolina.
A ban would eliminate this revenue and force consumers to buy unregulated products outside the state or from illicit markets—neither of which contribute to public funds.

4. Support Veterans and Medical Needs

North Carolina veterans face some of the highest rates of PTSD, chronic pain, and disability in the country.
Because NC does not offer a medical cannabis program, many veterans rely on legal hemp-derived products for relief.
Removing access harms those who have served our country and are seeking safe, legal, non-pharmaceutical options.

5. Maintain Consumer Freedom and Responsible Regulation

North Carolina can uphold responsible regulation—including:

21+ age limits

Rigorous  Lab testing

Packaging and purity standards

Clear dosing and labeling requirements

By keeping hemp legal and regulated, the state can continue to protect consumers without criminalizing adults or eliminating an entire industry.

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WE THE UNDERSIGNED DEMAND:

1. That North Carolina maintain the legality of regulated hemp-derived products for adults 21 and over.

2. That policymakers reject any legislation or measures that would ban, criminalize, or severely restrict lawful hemp commerce.

3. That the state continue supporting responsible regulation rather than forcing consumers into unregulated and unsafe purchasing channels.

4. That the needs of veterans, patients, small businesses, and farmers be prioritized in any policy decisions related to hemp.

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Conclusion

North Carolina can—and should—continue regulating hemp in a safe, responsible, and economically beneficial manner.
A ban would harm consumers, businesses, veterans, and the state economy, while creating new public-safety risks.

We urge our elected officials to protect regulated hemp access and support North Carolina’s people, agriculture, and economic future.