The hemp industry in North Carolina is hoping for a rescue before November. Plus, annual festivals in Mebane and Greenville celebrate culture and … pirates.
I don’t think it’s out of line to say that the North Carolina General Assembly’s 2025 session was a bit of a joke, though it’s debatable whether it was a funny one or not.
Not only did lawmakers pass the fewest number of laws since the GOP took control in 2010, they failed in what was arguably their most important job: approving a budget for the state. In fact, they never even adjourned, they simply stopped calling votes in October.
Now approaching a full calendar year without a budget in place, that will surely be a priority for legislators as they arrive in Raleigh this week, where they’ll convene on Tuesday. WRAL recently published an in-depth piece on the intricacies of the budget standoff, which is the result of infighting among the GOP involving a number of issues.
The NCGA works on a two-year cycle that sees a “short session” during election years like this one, but considering that the “long session” is scheduled for odd-numbered years so the body can work out a budget, this year’s short session will carry long responsibilities.
In this week’s “3 Things Happening” column, I’ll take a look at a few other priorities that lawmakers will be focused on during this year’s session.
https://new.cardinalpine.com/news/politics/nc-lawmakers-return-to-raleigh-this-week-heres-what-that-means-for-medicaid-and-teacher-pay//
NC General Assembly convenes
Tuesday, April 21
With this column dropping on 4/20, it feels right to start with cannabis. As I recently reported with Queen City Nerve, the November deal to reopen the federal government included legislation that will effectively ban Delta-9, THC-A and other products that have kept the hemp industry afloat in North Carolina.
Advocates are lobbying for the passage of Senate Bill 265, which would allow those products to continue to be sold statewide with more regulation. The new federal legislation takes effect in November 2026, so this session is seen as the last shot for folks in the hemp trade who fear it could kill their industry if no state law is passed to supersede it.
https://new.cardinalpine.com/local/interested-in-dropping-alcohol-here-are-6-thc-infused-drinks-made-in-north-carolina/
Other pressing issues for the NCGA this year include working out the kinks in Iryna’s Law, which was pushed through amidst the national controversy that followed Iryna Zarutska’s murder in Charlotte last fall but was perhaps not fully thought out.
Republicans will also be aiming to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of Senate Bill 50, aka the Freedom to Carry NC bill, which would allow eligible US citizens over 18 years old to carry concealed weapons without a permit or training. The Senate has already overridden the veto. The House still needs to do so, though it’s unclear if they have the votes.
Mebane Dogwood Festival
April 24-25, times vary
Downtown Mebane
The longest-running street festival in Alamance County returns for its 38th iteration, celebrating spring with food, fun and entertainment. The fun begins with a golf tournament on Friday morning, then the whole community gets involved that evening with a 5K, car show, live music, carnival rides, outdoor movie, and more.
Saturday brings a continuation of the street festival, including the “Touch a Truck” event, multiple stages featuring a variety of entertainment, and a market with more than 200 festivals.
PirateFest in Greenville
Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Downtown Greenville
Spring has always been a great time for swashbuckling. The 19th annual PirateFest brings art, music, beverages, sword fighting, a pirate encampment, and more to the banks of the Tar River for a full day of tomfoolery.
Follow the sounds of cannon fire to find the festivities, or get there early for the Parade of Pirates along West 1st Street at 11 a.m. This year’s entertainment includes Earth,Wind & Fire tribute band September and popular eastern North Carolina party band Spare Change.
The pirates are the heart of the festival, however, and while you’ll see plenty of amateur cosplaying marauders about, there are three groups that make this fest what it is. The Shadow Players is a stage combat group that recreates the Golden Age of Piracy (1650s-1730s), the Motley Tones play a blend of classical and amusing sea shanties, and The Cannon Crew educates folks on the rich history of piracy off the shores of North Carolina, especially in their home base of Beaufort.
