A GOP senator says that if Congress moves forward with a proposal to ban hemp products with any amount of THC, nobody is going to buy the remaining CBD preparations—in large part because “even a little bit” of the intoxicating cannabinoid makes an important difference for health effects.
Rand Paul, R-KY has been very clear in his opposition to the blanket ban of hemp THC products proposed by both chambers during this legislative session. While he is in favor of increased regulations on the hemp market he said in an LEX 18 interview that was published Tuesday, an outright ban would be devastating for the industry.
Some of his colleagues, including Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), “want a product where, if you were to buy the product, it would have no THC in it—or no measurable THC,” Paul said.
“I don’t think anybody will buy those products, because, frankly, the THC– even a little bit of it—is probably what helps to make people more calm, sleep better, or [have] He said, “We need to reduce anxiety.”
Scientists refer to the entourage effects, in which the potency of cannabis increases when cannabinoids are combined, as opposed to being isolated.
Paul stated that “we will eradicate the hemp business” if legislation was passed to prohibit hemp products with any amount of THC.
There will be no hemp industry. It’ll completely eradicate it–all the CBD oil, all the gummies, it’ll be gone,” he said.
Paul announced last month his intention to hold a meeting with House members to reach a “compromise” in regards to hemp regulation, given that he opposes the THC proposals.
In order to achieve a compromise, Kennedy Jr. said, it was necessary to take into account the concerns of other stakeholders about vague words that leave it up to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Department of Health and Human Services in America to define what is a “quantifiable amount”. The concern is that without specifics, all cannabinoid-containing products would be recriminalized.
Paul successfully prevented the ban from being incorporated into a Senate agriculture spending bill recently passed by the body, with the senator pushing for regulations that he said would promote public safety while preserving the hemp industry that’s proliferated since the crop was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill—a reform that McConnell played a key role in advancing.
But while McConnell has contested the idea that the legislation he sponsored would “completely destroy” the market, as Paul and industry stakeholders have insisted, he ultimately agreed to pull the language from the agriculture bill following Paul’s procedural protest.
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.
Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), who championed a 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. It was originally said that this ban would prohibit the sale of CBD products as well. However, the CRS updated its report to eliminate that wording for unclear reasons.
The hemp language is largely consistent with appropriations and agriculture legislation that was introduced, but not ultimately enacted, under the last Congress.
Hemp stakeholders protested this proposal. An earlier version was included last year in the base legislation from the 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.
A leading alcohol industry association, meanwhile, has called on Congress to dial back language in the House spending bill that would ban most consumable hemp products, instead proposing to maintain the legalization of naturally derived cannabinoids from the crop and only prohibit synthetic items.
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President and CEO Francis Creighton said in a press release that “proponents and opponents alike have agreed that this language amounts to a ban.”
Separately, key GOP congressional lawmakers—including one member who supports marijuana legalization—don’t seem especially concerned about provisions in the bill despite concern from stakeholders that it would put much of the hemp industry in jeopardy by banning most consumable products derived from the plant.
—
MEDCAN24 tracks hundreds of marijuana, psychedelics, and drug policy legislation in state legislatures this year. Patreon members who pledge at least $25/month gain access to interactive maps, charts, and hearing schedules so that they do not miss anything.
Find out more about our marijuana law tracker. To gain access, become a Patreon supporter.
—
Jonathan Miller, general counsel at the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, told congressional lawmakers in April that the market is “begging” for federal regulations around cannabis products.
Rep. James Comer asked a sarcastic question at the hearing about FDA regulations.
A report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) last year called cannabis a “significant threat” to the alcohol industry, citing survey data that suggests more people are using cannabis as a substitute for alcoholic beverages such a beer and wine.
Last November, meanwhile, a beer industry trade group put out a statement of guiding principles to address what it called “the proliferation of largely unregulated intoxicating hemp and cannabis products,” warning of risks to consumers and communities resulting from THC consumption.
MEDCAN24 would not be possible without the support of readers. Consider a Patreon subscription if our marijuana advocacy journalism is what you use to keep informed.
