Hemp products like CBD oil and THC drinks have exploded in popularity. Stakeholders and consumers voiced concern that federal spending legislation signed into law in October could restrict or effectively ban many commercially available hemp products, including CBD. In December, President Trump signed an executive order calling for the government to finalize the cannabis rescheduling process—and for Congress to work out a plan to ensure Americans have access to certain hemp products. One month later, a bipartisan bill was introduced to address the latter.
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The Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection (HEMP) Act would establish a national regulatory framework for hemp under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced the legislation with the goal “to create a future for American hemp products.”
The bill calls for the creation of federal regulations governing the manufacturing and sale of hemp-derived products. It also directs federal agencies to determine dosage limits for these products. If the agencies fail to act, pre-set limits outlined in the bill would automatically take effect.
According to MJBizDaily, the proposed dosage limits include:
- 10 milligrams of cannabinoids per serving and 50 milligrams per package for edibles
- 100 milligrams per serving and 500 milligrams per package for inhalable products
- 100 milligrams per serving and 500 milligrams per package for topical products
“After discussions with stakeholders, federal officials, and other relevant authorities, I believe the HEMP Act is a positive step forward to deliver federal clarity to the American hemp landscape, protecting consumers and providing a stable marketplace for legitimate producers,” Griffith said in a press release, adding he looks forward to working with legislators, the Trump administration, and the FDA on finalizing the legislation.
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The federal definition of hemp is set to change in November, when legislation to reopen the government last fall takes effect. At that point, anything over 0.4 milligrams of THC per package would be deemed a controlled substance. Rep. Griffith previously co-sponsored a bill that would delay the change for two years.
While it’s unclear what the final cannabinoid limits would be under the HEMP Act, they’re likely to be far less restrictive than current laws would require. For now, it’s up to the government and industry stakeholders to reach a compromise.
