The hemp industry has been on a rollercoaster ride as of late. From dodging a near-total ban in Texas to new regulations in California, it may feel like political whiplash. On the federal level, lawmakers are mulling tightening the market—and some fear it could decimate the industry completely.
Here’s the latest: Congressional lawmakers are currently debating agricultural spending bills. The legislation includes a measure banning any consumables with detectable THC, even trace amounts. That means everything from THC drinks to CBD oil would be illegal.
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The ban was a response to the proliferation of intoxicating (and unregulated) hemp products. Some states have opted to create their own regulations around the goods, but they technically remain legal on the federal level thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill.
In the Senate, the proposed ban was removed thanks to industry advocate Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). But the debate isn’t over.
House and Senate members are working to reconcile their bills—and some lawmakers believe hemp is in the crosshairs. Paul said on a podcast this week that he’s “very fearful that the whole industry could be made illegal within the next two weeks.”
“The pendulum has swung hard on the prohibitionist side,” Paul said.
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In a letter addressed to Senate leadership, a group of eight Democratic senators called for sensible regulation of hemp. They cautioned a federal hemp ban would “decimate” the market.
“If this language were to become law, it would deal a fatal blow to the American farmers who are the foundation of the regulated hemp industry and jeopardize tens of billions of dollars in economic activity around the country,” the letter reads.
The lawmakers proposed restricting the sale of hemp products to adults 21 and up, standardizing packaging to ensure brands aren’t marketing to kids, eliminating the use of synthetic cannabinoids, and requiring companies to submit to third-party testing.
Congress must pass the spending bill before September 30th to avoid a government shutdown. In the meantime, hemp advocates will likely be calling on their elected officials to ensure their interests are protected.
