Sen. Lazzara files bill to regulate hemp-derived consumables in North Carolina Senate

A new bill filed by State Sen. Michael A. Lazzara seeks to establish comprehensive standards for the sale, distribution, and use of hemp-derived consumable products in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 265 on March 11 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Protecting Our Community Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill aims to regulate hemp-derived consumable products in North Carolina, establishing comprehensive standards for their sale, distribution, and use. It mandates licensing for manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of these products, requiring adherence to specific age restrictions, packaging, and testing requirements to ensure compliance with set delta-9 THC concentration limits. The act prohibits underage possession and the sale of these products in schools, stipulating penalties for violations, which include fines, license suspension, or revocation. Employers are not required to accommodate the use of these products, and use that constitutes negligence or impairment while operating vehicles or machinery remains prohibited. The bill, effective July 1, 2026, also ensures enforcement through the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, with proceeds from penalties intended for the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund. Public schools must adopt a policy banning hemp-derived consumable products on school premises by the 2026-27 school year.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Todd Johnson proposed the most bills (21) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Lazzara, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2021 to represent the state’s 6th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Harry Brown.