NORTH CAROLINA -- Hemp farmers in North Carolina hope lawmakers drop proposed restrictions on hemp.

The North Carolina Farm Act has a proposal to ban smokable hemp.

Right now, because it looks and smells almost identical to marjiuana, if a police officer sees someone with weed, the suspect can claim it’s hemp. If the officers wants to arrest the suspect for possession, they’d have to chemical test the substance.

The proposed ban could close the loophole, but some of the 1,404 licensed hemp growers in the state are worried it will have a significant impact on their business.

“They are terrified at a possible smokable hemp flower ban because they just got into the business,” Blue Flowers CBD owner Colby Brown said. “They’re not prepared yet to redirect. They entered into these investments under the assumption they would be protected by law to grow the hemp flower.”

Lawmakers are expected to consider the Farm Act during the legislative short session in April.

Smokable hemp, like CBD, does not get the user high.