The Real Risks of Inaction: How Delaying SB265 Endangers North Carolina Consumers

Right now, hemp-derived products like CBD, Delta-8, and other cannabinoids are widely available across North Carolina. But what many people don’t realize is that these products are largely unregulated — meaning there are no consistent safety standards, no mandatory testing, and no guarantees that what's on the label matches what's in the product.

Without clear rules in place, dangerous gaps exist. Products contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, or harmful additives continue to circulate on store shelves. Mislabeled potency levels can expose children and first-time users to doses far stronger than intended. And synthetic compounds disguised as natural hemp derivatives are slipping through the cracks — putting consumers at serious risk.

This isn’t hypothetical.

• In 2023, multiple states issued warnings about mislabeled or contaminated Delta-8 products.

• A CDC report highlighted hundreds of adverse health events linked to unregulated cannabinoid products.

• Pediatric ER visits tied to accidental ingestion have increased nationwide — a direct result of inconsistent labeling and lack of childproof packaging.

North Carolina isn’t immune to these problems — but right now, we’re doing nothing to prevent them.

SB265: A Simple, Common-Sense Solution

Senate Bill 265 — the Protecting Our Communities Act — would finally create a legal framework to regulate these products. Under SB265, hemp-derived consumables would be:

• Required to undergo third-party lab testing

• Labeled accurately with proper dosing information

• Sold in child-resistant packaging

• Kept out of the hands of minors

• Monitored for compliance and safety

This is the type of smart regulation that protects both consumers and responsible businesses — without banning products or hurting the industry.

But instead of protecting North Carolina families, Senator Rabon continues to block SB265 from moving forward. Every day of delay allows dangerous, untested products to remain on the market, putting kids and vulnerable individuals at risk.

Your Voice Can Change This

We need leadership to prioritize safety over politics. And we need North Carolinians to speak up.

Call Senator Rabon and urge him to stop the delay. The safety of our communities shouldn’t be negotiable.

📞 Call: (919) 733-5963
📧 Email: bill.rabon@ncleg.gov

The longer we wait, the greater the risk. North Carolina deserves safe, regulated hemp products — and it starts with passing SB265.