New Federal Hemp Rules Will Dramatically Change NC Consumer Products

North Carolina consumers who rely on hemp-derived products-ranging from CBD oils to popular THC-infused seltzers and gummies-are bracing for sweeping changes after Congress approved new federal restrictions on hemp in November 2025. The measure, embedded in a federal spending bill, places strict limits on the amount of total THC allowed in any hemp-derived consumer product, effectively reshaping what can remain on store shelves across the state.

The new federal definition caps hemp consumables at no more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, a dramatic shift from the previous threshold, which measured only delta-9 THC concentration by dry weight. Most hemp products currently sold in North Carolina exceed that level by a wide margin.

For consumers, the change means many of the beverages, edibles, and wellness products they have become accustomed to-especially low-dose THC drinks and gummies-will likely disappear, be reformulated, or become inaccessible by late 2026, when the rule takes full effect.

Retailers say the impact will be immediate and noticeable. Many shops and manufacturers estimate that 90% or more of existing hemp-THC products will be out of compliance once the limit is enforced. The booming THC-seltzer market is among the most vulnerable, as most beverages contain between 2 and 10 milligrams of THC per can, far above the new cap.

North Carolina consumers have embraced hemp-derived THC products at a rapid pace since the 2018 Farm Bill allowed hemp sales nationwide. With no statewide age restrictions, potency caps, or packaging rules, the state became one of the Southeast’s busiest markets for hemp-THC consumables. Bars, breweries, and bottle shops also integrated THC beverages into their menus, further fueling demand.

Now, many consumers will be forced to shift back to non-intoxicating CBD products, seek alternatives in neighboring states if available, or turn to illegal markets. Retailers warn that the loss of regulated THC consumables could push some consumers toward untested or unregulated products sold online.

The new regulations also threaten affordability and accessibility for people who use full-spectrum hemp products for sleep, anxiety, or pain relief. Many of those products rely on natural trace THC combined with CBD-levels that will now be too high under the new federal threshold. Reformulating products to meet the 0.4-milligram rule may require manufacturers to strip out cannabinoids that some consumers consider essential to the products’ effectiveness.

State officials acknowledge the regulatory gap that has existed for years. North Carolina still lacks a comprehensive framework for hemp-derived intoxicants, though an Advisory Council on Cannabis formed in June 2025 is expected to recommend new statewide policies next year. Until then, consumers remain caught between state permissiveness and federal restrictions.

The federal rule will not be fully enforced until November 2026, but many businesses say product availability will begin dropping long before that as they stop restocking items that won’t be legal next year.

For now, North Carolina consumers who have come to rely on hemp-derived THC products should expect higher prices, fewer choices, and a marketplace that changes dramatically over the next 12 months.

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Sources

• NC hemp retailer and producer impact estimates: WRAL News; WUNC; NC Newsline

• 90–99% product loss estimates: NC Newsline; WUNC

• State regulatory conditions and gaps: Axios Charlotte; NC Local

• Federal THC cap details and implementation timeline: Clark Hill legal advisory; Marijuana Moment; Washington Post