(The Center Square) – Making the age 21 to buy hemp products is included in a regulations proposal at the North Carolina General Assembly.

The Protect Children from Cannabis Act, also known as House Bill 680, pushes for oversight and accountability of the industry. Rep. Dr. Tim Reeder, R-Pitt, authored the legislation alongside Republican Reps. Allen Chesser of Nash County and Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County.

The bill says between 2019 and 2023 emergency department visits for tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive component determining whether hemp or marijuana, rose 600% for youth ages 17 or younger. For 18- and 19-year-olds, the rate was more than 1,000%.

“Evidence also shows,” the bill says, “that cannabis use during adolescence and young adulthood may harm the developing brain, and youth who use intoxicating cannabis can experience multiple negative impacts such as problems with memory, learning, school and social life; impaired driving; the potential for addiction; and increased risk of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia, and suicidal behaviors.”

Alcohol Law Enforcement will have authority for enforcement, the proposal says. Licensing requirements will be in place for sellers.

Hemp was declassified as a controlled substance in 2022. The concentration of delta-9 THC, for North Carolina law purposes, determines if the plant cannabis sativa is hemp or marijuana. More than 0.3% is illegal marijuana; less than 0.3% is hemp.

Oils, gummies and topicals are sold statewide.

(The Center Square) – For the second time in six days, North Carolina is again among the best when it comes to bond ratings.

S&P Global, one of the big three in credit ratings along with the Fitch Group and Moody’s, on Monday affirmed the state’s AAA rating on general obligation bonds. Two upcoming transportation bonds also scored well – the BuildNC Bonds for $300 million is AA+ and the Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle Bonds for $475 million is AA.

“The outlook also reflects the state’s commitment to strong fiscal management of the budget, reserve balances, and debt and retirement liabilities,” S&P said in its report. “Furthermore, we anticipate that the underlying strengths and structural features of North Carolina’s economy will support growth over the long term.”

North Carolina had a population just over 8 million in the U.S. Census in 2000. It crossed 10.4 million in 2020 and the latest estimate puts it at over 11 million.

First-term Republican state Treasurer Brad Briner’s office said as of 2024, only 14 states have AAA bond ratings.

Moody’s on Wednesday of last week reaffirmed the state’s AAA general obligation bonds rating.