NC S521

Establishes a voluntary certification program for good manufacturing practices in manufacturing, packaging, and labeling of cannabinoid-related compounds derived from hemp, administered by the Board of Agriculture.

Requires product labels to display total marketed cannabinoid content per unit and, for human consumption products, content per serving size, plus a machine-readable code linking to third-party laboratory certificates of analysis.

Mandates certificates of analysis from ISO 17025-certified independent laboratories to verify cannabinoid potency profiles and test for residual solvents, heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, and microbials.

Prohibits false certification claims for cannabinoid products and subjects violators to existing penalties under food and drug regulations.

Designates hemp and hemp products as non-adulterated and non-misbranded substances, preventing restrictions or prohibitions based solely on hemp inclusion, with temporary rules due by January 1, 2024 and permanent rules by January 1, 2025.