On June 12, the North Carolina House Judiciary Committee discussed House Bill 563, which would implement a new law banning the sale of hemp-derived consumables to anyone under 17 years of age (unless consent is offered by a parent or guardian).

One of the bill’s primary sponsors, Rep. Jeff McNeely, told the committee how his bill has progressed since he first introduced it. “When I started naively, I thought I just wanted to make sure that a 10-year-old kid can’t walk into a smoke shop and buy some of these products,” McNeely said. Now the bill spans 17 pages, with numerous inclusions to regulate hemp-derived products for youth. “Research is suggesting that around three-fourths of our youth are finding their way to marijuana by ways of these type products that are in smoke shops and convenience stores,” he added.

According to NC News Line, if passed the bill would require that both manufacturers and distributors would be required to apply for a state license in order to start selling by July 1. Lab testing would also be required under the bill. More restrictions would implement a ban on edibles that are shaped similarly to animals or cartoon characters. It would also require manufacturers to create child-proof packaging and a label with information about included ingredients and allergens. Additionally, a warning label would be required to inform the consumer that they shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery while consuming.

North Carolina Retail Merchants Association senior director, Elizabeth Robinson, expressed support on behalf of her association. “We appreciate the framework for legitimate businesses to continue to operate responsibly and at the same time regulate those bad actors that, as he said, unfortunately have some of these products getting in the hands of our youth,” Robinson said.

Recently, the bill was amended on June 12 as well, which would require that both public and charter schools write policies that ban both tobacco and hemp-derived consumables from being present on school campuses or any related events.

This bill has developed in part because of the rise in youth gaining access to psychoactive cannabis consumables. In December 2023, seven middle school kids were taken to the hospital due to consuming an infused rice krispy treat. Two other students were arrested for supplying THC-infused edibles along with psilocybin mushrooms, which was later confirmed to be a “planned” activity by the group of kids.

McNeely answered questions at the most recent hearing from other representatives such as Rep. Marcia Morey. “Are the penalties consistent with what it is for small amounts of marijuana?” Morey inquired.

“No ma’am, they’re really not,” McNeely said in response. “I kind of look at this product like non-alcoholic beer. If it’s made right, there’s really nothing there that’s criminal or wrong. It’s when it’s not made right that we have our issue.”

McNeely is pushing for the North Carolina Department of Agriculture to take up responsibility for proper testing. “Department of Ag says they don’t have the abilities, the time, the people to be able to do this,” McNeely said. “So, the only way I knew to rope this in for a smaller amount of money was to put harsh enforcement on the backside, hoping that the players in the game will play by the rules and clean up whatever it’s not doing right.”

Rep. David Willis also asked McNeely about how the testing process works and who would pay for it. Currently, the manufacturer of the cannabis product would test the products before it can be distributed. After that, it is the responsibility of the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE).

McNeely added that the bill would give $500,000 to ALE in order to cover the testing costs. Willis also asked if there was a way to have the cannabis industry pay for that instead of taxpayers, which McNeely confirmed is a hopeful outcome. “We’re hoping that the industry will end up being able to fund these agents and the sampling, and all once this bill gets going,” McNeely explained. “But we had to have some start money to get it going.”

ALE will publish its first annual report to the General Assembly starting in January 2025, which will include “enforcement efforts,” according to NC News Line.

If passed, HB-563 would take effect starting in July 2024. “I understand that there’s stuff in the pipeline. We’re not asking anybody to go just rip everything off the shelf,” McNeely said. “We’re giving them time to do that.” The bill will be considered by the House Appropriations committee next.

While North Carolina legislators are working toward protecting children from hemp-derived consumables, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) recently opened the state’s first medical cannabis dispensary in April. Medical cannabis is currently not legalized in North Carolina otherwise, but EBCI now allows medical cannabis cardholders to purchase medical cannabis on tribal land.

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, the state’s most visited attraction and a leader in animal welfare, conservation, and research, has announced its new masterplan. This plan will direct the Zoo’s expansion for the ensuing ten years and beyond.

SHR Studios, a zoo and aquarium planning and design firm based in Bainbridge Island, Washington, was hired by the OKC Zoo to develop a comprehensive plan that embodies the organisation’s objective of fostering human-wildlife connections via innovative, sustainable, and engaging advancements.

One of the main features of the new master plan is a world-class reptile and amphibian preserve, which can house species from all over the world both indoors and outdoors. Other highlights include enhancing visitor accessibility and experiences by reimagining the Zoo’s heart as a central gathering place and renovating some of the most well-liked habitats, like Oklahoma Trails, Great EscApe, and the Children’s Zoo.

An ambitious ten-year plan

“With the recent opening of Expedition Africa, the arrival of five lion cubs, and our centennial celebration at Lincoln Park, I’m excited to keep this momentum going with the announcement of our new master plan,” says Dr Dwight Lawson, OKC Zoo’s executive director and CEO.

“This 10-year plan, informing Zoo construction from 2024 to 2034, is perhaps the most ambitious in the Zoo’s 122-year history. The plan outlines multiple construction projects that will modernize some of the Zoo’s oldest structures into immersive habitats that provide superior animal care and guest experiences.”

According to a breakdown of the masterplan in The Oklahoman, it includes the addition of larger savannah habitats to the Africa Plateau, which houses the zoo’s hooved animals, including okapi, wildebeest, and zebra. New wild encounter spaces for okapi will also be added, as will vulture exhibits and gardens. Meanwhile, the zoo aims to move the Reptile Preserve closer to the zoo entrance and convert the current building into a guest lounge.

The trust also wants to improve traffic flow and provide shaded outdoor seating at the Heart of the Zoo and the new Redbud Cafe. To manage stormwater, the zoo will move the carousel and build a stream connected to the alligator habitat.

The organisation intends to build an underwater brown bear viewing area and new zoo walking pathways, however these are lower on the priority list. The plan mentions new overnight accommodations and an update to the children’s adventure area. The open-air zoo entrance area will also get an upgrade with a new arbour and shade structure.

Other elements of the plan include expanding the elephant habitat and adding to the primate habitat. The Feline Oasis will see the addition of bigger jaguar and tiger habitats, the renovation of seven small cat exhibits, and the creation of a big cat training wall.

The full masterplan presentation can be found here.

Extending and enhancing the facilities

The last masterplan for the zoo was put into effect in 2018 and successfully guided projects including Raptor Ridge, Wetlands Walkway, Predator Pass, Sanctuary Asia, and, most recently, Expedition Africa. As the plan is completed, the Zoo’s African penguins, harbor seals, and California sea lions will move into Shore to Sea, a brand-new marine mammal habitat. Opening in 2027, this expanded area will take up 3.5 acres in the eastern part of the park with a view of Zoo Lake.

The expected total investment for the Zoo’s 2024 masterplan ranges from $115 million to $230 million, giving it the freedom to pursue projects in part or in full, depending on requirements and resources. Masterplan projects will be financed through a combination of private fundraising, potential historic tax credits, and revenue from a special 1/8-of-a-cent sales tax that Oklahoma City voters authorised in 1990.

Elsewhere, the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee recently unveiled its plans for the first phase of a $250 million revitalisation project. The overall plan is divided into phases, with each of these addressing specific areas. The first phase involves transforming the zoo’s Africa exhibit.

In the UK, Chester Zoo has been given the go-ahead to build safari lodges overlooking giraffes on an African-style savannah.

H&E Equipment Services has announced the opening of a new branch in the US, adding to its footprint in South Carolina.

Located in the Myrtle Beach area, the branch offers a range of equipment and specialises in the rental of aerial lifts, earthmoving equipment, telescopic forklifts, compaction equipment and generators. 

The site, which includes a fully fenced yard area, offices and a repair shop, will offer equipment from a number of OEMs, including Bomag, Genie, Hamm, Sany and Kubota. 

Joe Pannunzio, branch manager, H&E, said, “H&E has extended its coverage along the South Carolina coast, from Georgetown up to the North Carolina state line, and then inland to I-95 from Dillon to Manning. We can easily reach all points in between with close proximity to state highways 501, 701, and 368 and to major roadways that branch off in all directions. 

“Our location strategically bridges the gap between our existing Charleston, South Carolina, and Wilmington, North Carolina, branches, so we are able to help both new and existing customers secure the right equipment for their projects.”

The opening also marks the continuation of its goal to open between 12 and 15 new sites in 2024. To date, the company has opened five new branches and completed two acquisitions in 2024. Since the second quarter of 2023 the company has opened 19 new branches across the US and acquired nine companies.