[PRESS RELEASE] – LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 4, 2025 — U.S. Hemp Roundtable congratulates Senate Ag Appropriations for passing the bill, which did not include hemp-killing legislation that could have eliminated more than 95 percent of the hemp sector. Thank you to Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, for his critical support. Leading efforts Instead of challenging this misguided prohibition, industry could instead adopt responsible and science-based regulation.
The removal of language which would have defined hemp, and led to the destruction of an industry that was already in decline is a major win for all. Congress has kept its promise to American farmers by reaffirming their support for a growing hemp industry, said Jonathan Miller. A ban on hemp would destroy all the hard work and progress that small farmers and businesses have made over the last decade, while not protecting consumers.
Paul is still engaged in talks to reach a consensus on a compromise which would protect the hemp industry against a ban, which would cause ripples across the nation including Kentucky. The hemp industry in the Commonwealth has an annual impact on the economy of more than $300 million, and supports over 3,000 jobs. 87% of hemp in Kentucky was grown for products which would be prohibited under the proposed legislation.
Jim Higdon is the co-founder of Cornbread Hemp and the chief communication officer. He said, “This decision to remove the hemp-killing clause from the Senate Bill protects small business like us that serves hundreds of thousands customers throughout the U.S.” We’re thankful that Senator Paul stands up for hemp and leads efforts to regulate an expanding market without taking the sledgehammer approach to the work we have done thus far.
Miller explained that the discussions would serve to provide a framework for future work as Miller and Congress worked together on enacting robust regulation rather than banning products consumers depended upon. “We are grateful for Senator Mitch McConnell’s willingness to hear the hemp industry’s supporters.”
U.S. Hemp Roundtable was founded in Kentucky and has its headquarters there. They worked with Senator McConnell to create the hemp sector by allowing products that contain low amounts of THC. The coalition has now set its sights on establishing a safety framework at the federal level.
A recent letter signed by members of Kentucky’s federal delegation and circulated by Rep. James Comer R-Ky. was joined by Reps. Andy Barr R-Ky. Thomas Massie R-Ky. and Morgan McGarvey D-Ky. The bipartisan message urged congressional leaders to adopt regulations that included age restrictions and standardized packaging, labeling and testing by third parties. The hemp industry, as well as individual states like Kentucky, has already taken steps to protect the consumer.