NC H992

Expands the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Commission from 5 to 9 members, including additional representatives from state universities, farming, agricultural consulting, and agribusiness sectors.

Shifts the industrial hemp program from a commercial cultivation pilot to a research program directly managed by North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University, with licensed growers participating in demonstration plots.

Establishes specific authorized research purposes including marketplace studies, soil conservation research, agronomy analysis, seed development, economic feasibility studies, and energy technology research.

Creates civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation and criminal penalties including Class I felony charges for manufacturing or possessing marijuana on industrial hemp production property, and Class 1 misdemeanor charges for providing false information or tampering with hemp crops.

Grants the Industrial Hemp Commission direct rulemaking authority (rather than requiring Board of Agriculture adoption) and mandates notification to law enforcement of all authorized industrial hemp demonstration plot locations, sizes, and durations.