NORTH CAROLINA (WTVD) — A house bill that would create new restrictions on popular hemp-derived consumables like CBD gummies and Delta 9 is quickly moving through the state legislature.

HB 328 would ban certain hemp-derived products outright, restrict sales of other products like CBD and Delta 9 to adults 21 and older, and ban the products from educational property altogether, regardless of age.

Some small business owners who sell the impacted products say they support more industry oversight, but they’re concerned this bill could do more harm than good.

“We should really make sure that we find a way to continue to allow those products to be available and (HB) 328’s definition is just not strong enough to protect that,” said Eric Stahl, co-owner of Modern Apotheca, a hemp dispensary in North Raleigh.

While there are currently no state laws specifically limiting the consumption of hemp products to a certain age group, Stahl said they already restrict access to their shop — let alone who can purchase their products.

“You come through an age-gated location, your ID is checked, you’re then permitted to come in. Once we know that you’re 21 plus and that ID is verified, then you’re allowed to look at our products,” Stahl said.

Stahl said he’s lobbied for another bill, SB 265, that seeks to regulate the hemp industry and would transfer oversight to North Carolina ABC. That bill has failed to get out of committee for several years. He’s concerned HB 328 would punish hemp dispensaries because some vendors of hemp consumables are acting irresponsibly.

SEE ALSO | Governor Stein announces advisory council tasked with cannabis product safety, regulations

“Like any industry, you have people who get in the business to be a member of their community and serve a need. Or you might get into business because you’re profit-driven,” Stahl said.

During Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, several lawmakers expressed concerns about the hemp products in question — and their ease of access for younger North Carolinians.

“We need to put the age restriction on purchasing THC beverages and these hemp products to over 21. We need to make sure that we address the packaging aspects — not looking like things that children can get their hands on,” said Senator Benton Sawrey, a Republican from District 10.

Others said their primary goal was to remove less vetted products from the market. Stahl says the regulations put forth in HB 328 could lead to more bans on hemp products that the federal government has cleared for consumption.

“What we don’t want to do is throw the baby out with the bath water, which is saying that hemp products in North Carolina should not be available,” he said.

HB 328’s quick movement through the legislature comes just after Governor Stein announced an advisory council tasked with establishing more regulations around cannabis in North Carolina.

ABC11 reached out to several sponsors for SB 265 with questions on where that bill stands, and is waiting to hear back.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — An extensive heat wave began today for Central NC and will last for an extended amount of time.

Highs will reach the middle to upper 90s each day, for at least the next week, and humidity will be high making it feel hotter than 100 degrees.

So when do we expect heat headlines? Whether that be heat advisories or heat warnings. The National Weather Service has criteria for when advisories and warnings are issued in regards to heat, and that criteria can vary greatly across the country.

A Heat Advisory is issued when heat index values (feels-like temperatures) are expected to rise into the 105-109F range for 2 or more hours, and/or excessive heat is expected for 3 or more consecutive days.

An Excessive Heat Warning is issued when heat index values are expected to exceed 110F for more 2 hours or more.

It is possible we see Heat Advisories and/or Excessive Heat Warnings issued at some point during the next 7 days as dangerous heat grips our area.

Download the ABC11 App to get Weather Alerts

SEE ALSO | Cooling stations open in Wake County as heat index soars above 100 degrees in central NC

SCOTLAND COUNTY, NC (WMBF) – Despite the death of a key witness, prosecutors convinced a jury that a man killed two people in North Carolina after they gave him a ride.

The jury convicted Triandes Frazier on Friday of two counts of first-degree murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Driver Andrew Montgomery and passenger Kaleal McLaurin gave Frazier a ride on July 9, 2021, from Hamlet to exit 183 in Laurinburg, where Frazier fatally shot the two.

According to a news release from District Attorney Jamie Adams, a witness came forward with important information that led to Laurinburg police arresting Frazier.

However, that witness died before Frazier’s trial, which Adams said created some “unique challenges” for the prosecution in this case.

“Andrew and Kaleal did not deserve the fate they met and this defendant does not deserve to walk free because of the death of a key witness,” Adams said. “My office will stand up and protect our community from dangerous criminals.”

A judge sentenced Frazier to life in prison without the chance of parole.

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