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US Congress Moves to Ban $28B Hemp THC Industry

Lawmakers closed a 2018 farm bill loophole that allowed intoxicating hemp products to spread nationwide, delaying enforcement to Dec. 11.

Sources: The New Indian Express, The Anchorage Daily News (Alaska), The Manila Times3 sources ↓|· 1 min read
US Congress Moves to Ban $28B Hemp THC Industry
Photo: The New Indian Express

KEY POINTS

  • Congress voted to ban intoxicating hemp THC products, threatening a $28 billion industry.
  • The 2018 farm bill's 0.3% delta-9 THC threshold allowed potent products to be sold legally.
  • President Trump signed a funding bill delaying the ban from Nov. 12 to Dec. 11.
  • Sen. Mitch McConnell supported closing the loophole he originally championed.
  • Products were sold unregulated in gas stations and convenience stores, accessible to teens.

A multibillion-dollar market for intoxicating hemp-derived THC products faces potential elimination after Congress voted to close a federal loophole. The 2018 farm bill legalized industrial hemp with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight, but manufacturers exploited the definition to create potent gummies, beverages, and smokable flowers sold in gas stations and retailers like Target.

A short-term funding bill signed by President Donald Trump last month pushed the ban's effective date from Nov. 12 to Dec. 11. This delay gives Congress additional time to consider regulating the products instead of an outright prohibition. Industry advocates and some lawmakers are lobbying for a regulatory framework.

“You worked 100 hours a week for the past four years, and, yeah, you made some money. But now you might have nothing to show for it.”

— Nicholas Hohns, hemp business owner

Senator Mitch McConnell, who championed the 2018 hemp legalization, supported closing the loophole he helped create. Business owners like Nicholas Hohns of North Carolina warn they could lose everything after years of investment. The products have raised safety concerns due to a lack of testing and age restrictions.

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