Last week, the Apex Police Department in Apex, NC seized over 1,150 pounds of illegal THC products that were being falsely advertised as CBD. Parents had reached out to law enforcement with concerns that their children were being sold harmful products. Upon investigation, detectives identified a distributor who was supplying several vape shops with products that were advertised as CBD but contained as much as 40 times the legal limit of Delta-9 THC.
THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant that causes the “high” associated with its use. CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical found in marijuana but does not contain THC or other psychoactive chemicals.
The Dangers of THC
Currently in North Carolina, intoxicating THC products are largely unregulated. As Governor Josh Stein said in a statement earlier this year, “Today all across North Carolina, there are unregulated intoxicating THC products available for purchase: just walk into any vape shop. There is no legal minimum age to purchase these products! That means that kids are buying them. Without any enforceable labeling requirements, adults are using them recreationally without knowing what is in them or how much THC there is.”
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), cannabis consumption is associated with health risks related to:
- Brain function, including memory, learning, attention, decision making, coordination, emotions, and reaction time;
- Heart health, including increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and other vascular diseases;
- Slowed reaction time and impaired coordination, impairing activities like driving;
- Harm to lung tissue and damage to small blood vessels; and
- Mental health disorders like social anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
Parents, Educate Your Children
It is important that parents discuss these risks with children. These products are easily accessible for individuals of all ages, and the lack of appropriate regulation results in products that are being mislabeled and falsely advertised. In addition to this, there are many THC products that are being packaged to look like popular snacks for children. Even CBD, which is often marketed as “safe” for a variety of uses, should be used with caution due to the possible side effects associated with it.
Contrary to popular belief, cannabis is addictive, with an estimated 1 in 10 users developing a cannabis use disorder. The risk of this increases even further when individuals start using it before the age of eighteen.
It is critical that children understand the risks of consuming substances like CBD or THC, and that they be aware of what to look for to avoid accidental consumption.
In October, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined in a letter to congressional leaders from 37 states’ attorneys general, urging “immediate action to clarify the federal definition of hemp and prevent the continued sale of unregulated, intoxicating THC products.”
On November 12, Congress passed H.R.5371 – Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026—which includes provisions relating to the federal definition of hemp. This change in the law is scheduled to go into effect November 11, 2026. According to one legal evaluation, “This makes almost all commercially available hemp-derived edibles, vapes, tinctures, and beverages non-compliant…Early industry analysis suggests that up to 95% of existing hemp-derived consumable SKUs will be removed from the market under the new THC cap and total-THC calculation.”
NC Family will continue to monitor developments in this area and will update you as more information becomes available.