The Economic Engine We Can’t Afford to Lose: NC’s Hemp Industry

Across North Carolina, hemp is fueling an economic movement. It’s creating jobs, supporting local farmers, revitalizing storefronts, and offering new opportunities in both rural and urban communities.

But proposed legislation—specifically the Senate version of SB328—could bring all of that to a halt.

At NCHAA, we believe hemp is an economic engine worth protecting. Let’s look at what’s at stake.

Thousands of Jobs, Built from the Ground Up

From seed to sale, hemp supports a wide array of industries:

• Farmers and agricultural workers

• Extraction and lab technicians

• Wellness retailers and delivery staff

• Compliance professionals and product developers

• Creative services and marketing teams

According to industry estimates, North Carolina’s hemp sector supports thousands of direct and indirect jobs. These aren’t hypothetical roles—they’re real people, many of whom are veterans, caregivers, entrepreneurs, and rural residents building sustainable livelihoods.

Eliminating hemp-derived cannabinoids would wipe out these jobs overnight. That’s not regulation—that’s recession.

Small Businesses Would Take the Hardest Hit

Unlike many large industries, hemp is powered by small businesses. These are family-run farms, local wellness shops, and independent manufacturers who have invested everything into a plant that was made legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.

They’ve done the right thing: complied with testing standards, educated their customers, and created safe spaces for access. To penalize them now with sweeping bans would be a devastating reversal.

Rural Economies Depend on Hemp

Many counties in North Carolina have used hemp to reinvigorate farming communities that once depended on tobacco. Hemp has brought new life to underutilized land and provided an entry point for younger farmers and entrepreneurs.

Banning access to the full range of hemp-derived cannabinoids doesn’t just hurt urban retail stores—it collapses an entire supply chain that rural NC now depends on.

Local and State Revenue at Risk

Hemp businesses generate sales tax revenue, license fees, and payroll contributions. This income goes back into our communities—funding schools, infrastructure, and local programs.

Without a legal, regulated hemp market, those dollars disappear. Worse, they may shift to out-of-state businesses or unregulated sources, undermining public trust and safety.

We Need Regulation That Builds, Not Breaks

Smart hemp policy doesn’t erase economic progress. It enhances it.

NCHAA supports legislation that:

• Maintains access for adults while restricting youth exposure

• Requires testing, labeling, and packaging standards

• Keeps NC’s hemp economy growing responsibly

Let’s protect the jobs, businesses, and industries that hemp has built. Let’s pass laws that nurture opportunity—not dismantle it.

North Carolina’s economic future is green. Let’s not pull it up by the roots.