The NC House Returns October 26. Here Is How to Reach Your Representative About HB 328.

The North Carolina General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene at noon on Monday, October 26, for a short session that runs through October 28. HB 328, the state's main hemp bill, is one of the items the House is allowed to consider during that time, although no vote on it has been scheduled.

If you want your state representative to know where you stand on hemp before then, this is the week to reach out. This guide explains where HB 328 stands, how to find your representative, and how to call, email or visit in a way that gets noticed. CBHD does not endorse or oppose any candidate or party, and this article is for general information.

Where HB 328 Stands Before the October 26 Session

HB 328, titled "Regulate Hemp-Derived Consumables," has been waiting in the House since the summer. According to the General Assembly's bill record:

• June 23 and 24: the House and Senate appointed a conference committee to work out a final version.

• July 2: The Senate adopted the conference report by a vote of 37 to 6.

• July 30: the conference report was reported in the House and re-referred to the House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations, where it remains.

The conference report includes a proposed minimum age of 21 for hemp-derived consumables and a proposed 0.4 milligram per container limit. Many in the industry have asked the House to reject the current version, as we covered in our report on the industry's push on HB 328.

In a statement to CBS17 published October 8, a spokesperson for House Speaker Destin Hall said: "Given the recent delay of the federal hemp ban and the evolving landscape, House members will continue conversations around common-sense issues like age restrictions and potentially harmful synthetic products. Members are also engaging with industry stakeholders to help determine a responsible path forward." Hall has also said lawmakers could take up the issue after the November election, according to NC Newsline.

What the House Can Consider From October 26 to 28

The legislature's adjournment resolution limits what lawmakers can take up during each reconvened session. During the October 26 to 28 session, the House and Senate may consider only:

• Veto overrides

• Bills on a short list of topics, including appointments, election laws, litigation over legislative enactments, impeachment and proposed constitutional amendments

• Conference reports on bills for which both chambers appointed conferees on or before August 6, 2026

• Bills returned to their original chamber for concurrence on or before August 6, 2026

• Organizational and adjournment resolutions

Because both chambers appointed conferees on HB 328 in June, its conference report falls into one of those categories. That makes it eligible for House action. It does not mean a vote will happen. The bill would first have to move out of the Rules Committee and onto the House calendar. As of October 22, the public legislative calendar lists the House session for October 26, but no vote on HB 328 has been scheduled. Check the calendar and committee notices again before the session, as schedules can change.

If the House does not act during this session, the same rules apply when lawmakers return on November 16 to 19 and again from November 30 to December 18. The first set of federal hemp definition changes is scheduled to take effect on November 12, with additional changes taking effect on December 11, as explained in our guide to what changes on November 12 and December 11.

How to Find Your NC House Representative

Every North Carolinian is represented by one member of the state House. There are three easy ways to find yours:

1. Use the State Board of Elections voter search. Look up your registration in the voter search tool. Your record lists your state House district.

2. Use the General Assembly's lookup page. The Find Your Legislators page lets you search by district or by county. The map-based address search was temporarily unavailable as of October 22, so the district or county options are the most reliable. If your county has more than one representative, confirm your district first.

3. Check the House member list. The House member list shows every representative with their district, counties, office room and phone number. Each member's page also links to an online contact form.

Representatives' Raleigh offices are generally in the Legislative Office Building at 300 N. Salisbury Street or the Legislative Building at 16 W. Jones Street. Check your member's page for the exact room number.

How to Contact Your Representative About HB 328

Lawmakers hear from many people, and the messages that stand out are short, local and specific. Here are the most common ways to reach your representative, from quickest to most personal:

Call the legislative office

A phone call is a quick way to share your position. Give your name, say that you live in the district and state your position on HB 328 in one or two sentences. If you own or work for a hemp business, explain that connection. Staff can direct your message to the appropriate office.

Send an email or use the contact form

An email gives you room to explain how the bill affects you. Use the contact form on your representative's member page, keep the message to a few short paragraphs and include your full address so the office can confirm you are a constituent.

Visit the office or a local event

An in-person conversation gives you a chance to explain your concern and ask a follow-up question. You can request a meeting at the Raleigh office during the session or look for a local event where your representative is available. With the November 3 election approaching, local candidate forums and community events can also be a good chance to ask a question in person.

What to Include in Your Message

Whatever your view on HB 328, these details make your message more useful to a lawmaker:

• That you are a constituent. Include your city or your full address.

• Your specific position. For example, whether you support the bill as written, oppose it, or want changes to particular provisions such as the 0.4 milligram per container limit.

• Your connection to the issue. You might be a shop owner, employee, farmer, supplier or customer.

• Real numbers, if you have them. How many people you employ, how long your business has operated or what share of your sales could be affected. Recent reporting found that 79 of 82 Triangle hemp shops tracked in one count sold products affected by the December 11 changes, as we reported in our story on Triangle hemp shops.

• What you are asking for. For example, age limits, lab testing, labeling or licensing rules.

Public opinion data can also help frame your message. An Elon University Poll of North Carolina adults, conducted August 21 to 31, found 82 percent support for banning sales of hemp-derived products to anyone under 21, as covered in our Elon poll report.

A sample message you can adapt

Here is a simple template. Replace the details in brackets with your own:

"Dear Representative [Name], my name is [your name], and I live in [city], in your district. I am writing about HB 328, which the House can take up when it returns on October 26. I [own / work at / buy from] [business type] in [city], which [employs X people / has operated for X years]. I would like you to [support / oppose / seek changes to] HB 328 because [one or two sentences in your own words]. I would welcome rules such as [age limits / lab testing / clear labeling]. Thank you for your time and for representing our community."

Messages written in your own words carry more weight than identical form letters, so add a personal detail wherever you can.

Tips for Getting Your Message Heard

• Be respectful and factual. A clear, specific message makes it easier for staff to understand your concern and share it with the representative.

• Contact your own representative. Offices give the most weight to people in their district.

• Reach out early. The session begins October 26 and is scheduled to adjourn October 28, so contact your representative before it starts.

• Follow up. If the bill does not move this week, a short follow-up before the November 16 session keeps your view on record.

Our earlier review of where 11 incumbents stand on hemp found broad agreement among those lawmakers on keeping intoxicating products away from minors, but different views on licensing, taxes and oversight. Hearing from constituents is one way lawmakers decide where they land. For questions you can also ask candidates before the election, see our early voting guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the North Carolina House return?

The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene at noon on Monday, October 26, and adjourn on Wednesday, October 28. Later sessions are scheduled for November 16 to 19 and November 30 to December 18.

Will the House vote on HB 328 on October 26?

No vote has been scheduled. HB 328's conference report is eligible for consideration under the adjournment resolution, but the bill remains in the House Rules Committee.

How do I find my North Carolina state representative?

You can look up your state House district through the State Board of Elections voter search, or use the General Assembly's Find Your Legislators page to search by district or county.

What is the best way to contact a North Carolina legislator?

Phone calls and emails through the member's contact form are the quickest options. In-person visits and local events give you a chance to explain your concern directly. Whatever method you use, say that you are a constituent and keep your message short and specific.

What does HB 328 do?

HB 328 would regulate hemp-derived consumables in North Carolina. Its conference report includes a proposed minimum age of 21 and a proposed 0.4 milligram per container limit. The Senate adopted the conference report on July 2, and it awaits action in the House.