House passes federal farm bill without changes to hemp-derived cannabinoid rules

Reports say that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Bill on Tuesday by a vote of 224 to 200. The Farm Bill contains hemp provisions, but does not include language to change or delay the anticipated federal changes in November to hemp-derived THC.

The 2018 Farm Bill was the first to legalize industrial hemp in America. It passed under President Trump’s second term. Initial legalization covered all hemp derivatives and the plant itself, as long the THC content was less than 0.3%. These changes created a nationwide gray market of hemp-derived cannabis, which grew quickly into an industry worth billions as operators found ways to transform hemp-derived CBD in delta-8 THC or other cannabinoids that are intoxicating.

The industry suffered a major blow last year after President Trump’s signing of a budget bill that included language that would have shut down nationwide the sale intoxicating products made from hemp.

Reports state that the hemp provisions of Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 aim to simplify regulations and ease the burdens faced by industrial hemp farmers across the U.S.

After the House, it will go to the Senate where supporters hope they’ll propose protecting the rapidly-expiring hemp industry.

The current hemp-cannabinoids market will end in November 2026 if Congress doesn’t pass any exceptions or changes to existing rules.