Policy · 2026-05-14
North Carolina House Committee Advances Under-21 Ban on Hemp and Kratom Products
Source: Marijuana Moment / NC Newsline
Why it matters
North Carolina lawmakers advanced legislation setting a minimum age of 21 for purchasing kratom and hemp-derived products — a significant step for a state that has so far left these substances largely unregulated.
The big picture
North Carolina has considered kratom and hemp regulation multiple times without success. Senate Bill 59 has been substantially rewritten to address both hemp-derived consumables and kratom. The bill passed the House Agriculture and Environment Committee unanimously, indicating strong bipartisan support. ASTHO's May 2026 legislative roundup listed North Carolina as one of the states actively considering kratom legislation. The bill moves to the House Rules Committee before a potential floor vote.
Key findings
- The House Agriculture and Environment Committee approved a rewrite of Senate Bill 59 to set a 21+ age limit for hemp-derived consumables and kratom products.
- An amendment specifically adding kratom products to the under-21 ban passed unanimously without debate.
- First offense for selling to underage buyers: Class 2 misdemeanor plus $500 fine; second offense $1,000; subsequent offenses $1,500.
- Rep. Jimmy Dixon cited a 14-year-old in his district who required emergency room care after purchasing a hemp-derived product.
- The legislation includes language designed to capture future molecular modifications to these substances, preventing loopholes.
- The bill moves to the House Rules Committee before a potential full House floor vote.
What they say
"We've definitely got a problem. So I hope we keep bringing this to light, and we get something accomplished before we get out of short session here." — Rep. Jeffrey McNeely (R-Iredell), who proposed the kratom amendment
Bottom line
North Carolina's unanimous committee vote for under-21 restrictions on kratom signals strong momentum toward passage, which would add the state to the growing list of jurisdictions regulating kratom access.