North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein urged lawmakers to legalize marijuana and build a regulated adult cannabis market, saying House Bill 328 would fail to protect consumers and children. He criticized the bill for lacking meaningful age restrictions, potentially legalizing kratom, and banning many hemp products by forbidding items with more than 0.4 mg of THC. Advocates praised the governor's push to regulate rather than prohibit, while the House delayed a vote until after the November election to further study the issue.
North Carolina Governor Urges Legalized, Regulated Adult Cannabis Market — Criticizes HB 328
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein urged lawmakers to legalize marijuana and regulate cannabis sales, saying a proposed hemp THC ban fails to protect consumers.getty
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein this week pressed state lawmakers to legalize marijuana and establish a regulated adult cannabis market, arguing that the Senate-approved bill under consideration would fail to protect consumers and children.
Why Stein Opposes House Bill 328
Speaking on social media and to reporters, the Democratic governor criticized House Bill 328 for several key flaws: it would reportedly ban most current hemp products by prohibiting any hemp item containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids; it lacks meaningful age restrictions; and, he noted, it appears to legalize kratom, which some critics describe as an opioid-like substance.
"The legislature should be focused on creating a safe and well-regulated adult THC market that protects kids," Stein wrote on X. After a Council of State meeting he added: "What we need to do is have a well-regulated THC market for adults…where they know what they're buying, they know the quantity and they know what the ingredients are and we need to completely protect kids."
Responses From Advocates and Lawmakers
Advocacy groups like the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) applauded Stein's call to regulate rather than ban THC products. Kevin Caldwell, MPP's senior manager of legislative affairs, said in a statement that prohibition is a failed approach and warned that shutting down the hemp industry would likely drive sales back to the illicit market.
Republican House Speaker Destin Hall announced that a planned House vote on HB 328 would be postponed until after the November election. Hall said lawmakers want to avoid unintended consequences and will assemble a group of members to examine the issue more closely.
Context And Next Steps
Supporters of regulated legalization say a legal, taxed market would ensure product safety, accurate labeling and enforceable age limits similar to alcohol and tobacco. Opponents counter that stricter bans protect youth and public health. The delay in the House vote gives legislators time to consider regulatory frameworks, though advocates note the General Assembly did not hold hearings on medical cannabis this session.
Neighboring jurisdictions such as Virginia — and the Qualla Boundary, where the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians operates a dispensary — already provide legal access to cannabis products, a reality advocates say increases the urgency for coherent North Carolina policy.
Sources: Remarks and social posts by Gov. Josh Stein; statements from the Marijuana Policy Project; reporting from Marijuana Moment, the Carolina Journal and NC Newsline. This article was originally published on Forbes.com.
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