House amendments make the following changes to the 2nd edition.

House amendment #1 amends GS 106-568.53(2), concerning the powers and duties of the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Commission, to establish limits on licenses issued and plot size, providing that in the 2017 growing season no license can be issued for demonstration plots greater than a combined 50 acres, with all licensed demonstration plots not to exceed 2,500 acres in size. Establishes for the 2018 growing season that licenses will only be issued for demonstration plots that are a combined 100 acres or less, with total allowable licensed demonstration plots not to exceed 5,000 acres in size. 

Provides that the number of acres a person is allowed to have licensed to cultivate also includes any acres held by a corporation which the person has a controlling interest in. Also provides that there are no exemptions or exceptions to the applicable license acreage limit established by these provisions. 

House amendment #2 amends proposed GS 106-568.57 by increasing the criminal penalties associated with violations. Increases the punishment for any person that manufactures, distributes, dispenses, delivers, purchases, aids, abets, attempts, or conspires to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, purchase, or possesses with the intent to manufacture, distribute, dispense, deliver, or purchase marijuana on property used for industrial hemp production, or in a manner intended to disguise the marijuana due to its proximity to industrial hemp to a Class I felony  (was, Class 2 misdemeanor).  Further provides that any person that provides the Commission with false or misleading information in relation to a license application or renewal, inspection, or investigation authorized by the Article or any person that tampers with or adulterates an industrial hemp crop lawfully planted pursuant to the Article will be deemed guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor  (was, Class 2 misdemeanor).