Planning commission recommends denying addition of hemp/THC sales while grandfathering tobacco/CBD for multiple businesses

The Holly Springs Planning & Zoning Commission heard a series of conditional use permit applications from convenience stores and specialty retailers seeking permission to add hemp- and THC-derived products to their business licenses. For multiple items the commission recommended denying the addition of hemp/THC while granting conditional use permits to preserve grandfathered tobacco and CBD uses; one application was tabled when the applicant was not present.

Applicants who spoke said they already hold state hemp/CBD licenses and described safeguards — age restrictions, staff training and limited product displays — that they say limit risks to youth and provide a safer alternative for some medical users. Pramesh Patel of Priyog Inc. (PJ’s Hop In) told the commission he holds a state license and asked for the local CUP so his gas station could continue supplying state-licensed products.

City staff told the commission the recently amended zoning ordinance did not grandfather hemp/THC uses and that the planning commission has three options for each site: approve full CUPs for hemp/THC/tobacco/CBD; approve only tobacco/CBD and deny THC/hemp; or deny THC/hemp and leave tobacco/CBD as nonconforming grandfathered uses. Staff consistently recommended the middle option: deny addition of hemp/THC and grant CUPs for grandfathered tobacco and CBD where the applicant otherwise meets requirements. Staff also ran distance checks for each site and flagged several that failed the city’s 1,000-foot school or church buffers.

Commissioners repeatedly said they prefer a cautious, incremental approach and noted that the planning commission is advisory; final action goes to city council. For the items heard, the commission generally adopted the staff recommendation. Notable procedural outcomes included a motion to table CUP 06-2025 when that applicant was absent; the motion to table carried.

Quotes from the hearing: “We do have a CBD and THC license from state, and love to continue to sell it,” said Pramesh Patel (Priyog Inc.), describing his request for CUP 03-2025. Several applicants described training and testing protocols and emphasized that hemp/THC products account for a modest share of overall sales.

What happens next: the commission’s recommendations will be forwarded to city council, which will make final decisions. Staff invited applicants to submit written comments for council consideration and reminded applicants that distance and measurement rules will be applied at the time of council review.

Ending: The commission closed the items and approved the staff recommendation in most cases; one CUP was tabled and will return when the applicant appears.