The leading hemp organization sent a message to Donald Trump applauding his efforts to legalize the crop in his first term. They also urged him not to allow Congress to “reverse” this reform and ban hemp products that contain any level of THC.
In the letter—which is being accompanied by an online petition to Trump that supporters can sign—the U.S. Hemp Roundtable said that when the president signed the 2018 Farm Bill that federally legalized hemp, he “ushered in a new era for the American hemp industry.”
The letter says, “As hemp farmers, producers, consumers, or advocates, you are thankful and we remain hopeful that our influence will save the $28,4 Billion hemp industry, which was made possible by your efforts.” The recent video that you posted about hemp’s extraordinary benefits was crucial in raising public awareness of the impact American-made and grown products can have.
It’s about the president sharing a social media video of The Commonwealth Project which promoted the health benefits hemp-derived CBD for older people.
The letter states: “Here at U.S. Hemp Roundtable our members focus on giving Americans options to improve their overall health, wellness and lifestyle.” The federal government, unfortunately, has not kept up. We’ve created jobs and self-regulated despite the lack of clear federal guidelines and regulation. But now, we need help!
It continues, “Congress will soon pass a ban on hemp and reverse the efforts you made in 2018 to help hemp flourish.” A proposed definition of hemp that is being promoted as a means to protect Americans would eliminate 95 percent of your uniquely American business.
In a letter sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, (R-LA), bipartisan lawmakers raised the same concerns. They resisted attempts to prohibit hemp THC. They argued that reversing policy would have “deadly consequences” on the hemp THC industry. Also, they argued, such an action, as included currently in a budget bill, was against congressional rules. Members of Congress have stated that they are working on a plan to regulate the marketplace using an alternative method.
“A more effective way to protect American consumers and jobs would be to support and demand robust hemp regulation—age restrictions along with uniform testing, labeling, and packaging requirements,” the hemp association’s letter states. The hemp association states that “outright prohibition would not be the solution, nor make anyone any safer.” The prohibition of legal hemp products, which are already regulated by the states at state levels, will not provide any protection to consumers. It would simply shift the hemp market from the white market onto the black one and ruin a growing American industry.”
Help us regulate hemp properly and save this powerful industry. The ban could put American Farmers, American Businesses, American Consumers, Our Veterans, Seniors, and More Than 328,000 American Workers at Risk,” says the statement, adding that recent Texas polls show majority support for regulated sales of hemp and increased voting likelihood for candidates backing regulation.
According to the online petition of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, the following is stated:
We are grateful to Donald J. Trump, who has shown his support in protecting the 28.4 billion dollar American hemp market. We request that he works with Congress to make sure America’s robust and thriving hemp industry does not get destroyed or prohibited. We are in favor of regulation that keeps consumers safe, and we look forward to working closely with our elected officials on building up this growing American business.”
At the federal level, while the Senate ultimately stripped hemp THC ban language from its version of the agriculture spending measure following a procedural protest from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), there’s still concern among stakeholders that it could wind up in the final package delivered to the president following bicameral negotiations.
Meanwhile, Democratic senators also sent a letter to leadership last month that warned of the major upheaval that would happen in the hemp market if products containing any amount of THC were banned.
The letter was written by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-OR. He co-authored it with Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-OR. Congress needs to be serious in pursuing sensible safeguards that protect consumers, kids, and the hemp industry.
Dozens of hemp farmers from Kentucky also recently urged their state’s senior U.S. senator, McConnell, to back off from his push to recriminalize some products that are derived from their crops.
Paul, for his part, recently cautioned that the cannabis policy movement has “swung hard on the prohibitionist side” amid the ongoing debate over intoxicating hemp products. He is concerned that the hemp industry could collapse “within two weeks” if the situation does not improve.
Paul responded that “we worked diligently” to find a solution with his staff.
The conversations were mostly constructive. They say, at least on the surface, they’re not trying to eliminate it—but I think we are, in some ways, talking past each other,” he said.
—
MEDCAN24 tracks hundreds of marijuana, psychedelics, and drug policy legislation in state legislatures this year. Patreon subscribers who donate at least $25/month have access to the interactive maps and charts, as well as our hearing calendar.
Discover more about the marijuana bills tracker. Become a patron on Patreon for access.
—
Meanwhile, Paul recently filed a standalone bill that would go in the opposite direction of the hemp ban, proposing to triple the concentration of THC that the crop could legally contain, while addressing multiple other concerns the industry has expressed about federal regulations.
In June, the senator presented the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan Act (HEMP). It mirrors versions he’s sponsored over the last several sessions.
Harris, who championed the hemp THC ban in his chamber version of the agriculture spending legislation, told MEDCAN24 that he wasn’t concerned about any potential opposition to the hemp ban in the Senate—and he also disputed reports about the scope of what his legislation would do to the industry.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) released a report in June stating that the legislation would “effectively” prohibit hemp-derived cannabinoid products. The CRS originally stated that a similar ban would also prevent the sale CBD, but for unknown reasons the report has been updated to remove that specific language.
The hemp language is largely consistent with appropriations and agriculture legislation that was introduced, but not ultimately enacted, under the last Congress.
Hemp industry participants rallied to oppose that proposal. A previous version of it was also in the base Bill from last year’s subcommittee. It’s virtually identical to a provision of the 2024 Farm Bill that was attached by a separate committee last May via an amendment from Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), which was also not enacted into law.
MEDCAN24 would not be possible without the support of readers. Please consider making a Patreon monthly pledge if you depend on our cannabis journalism for information.
