Proposed Federal Bill Threatens Hemp-Derived Edibles
06/13/2025
A Republican-led House subcommittee has advanced a bill that could drastically reshape the hemp industry by banning most hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including popular edibles like gummies and beverages. The legislation, passed in a close 9-7 vote, aims to reverse key provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp with up to 0.3 percent THC. If enacted, the bill would prohibit products containing psychoactive cannabinoids, effectively outlawing many edibles and other consumable hemp goods consumed by Americans on a regular basis.
The hemp industry, which has grown significantly since legalization, faces existential risks. Industry advocates argue the bill could devastate businesses, eliminate jobs, and disrupt a market that includes grains, oils, and fibers alongside edibles.
Critics, including a hemp company spokesperson, warn it could "destroy the entire American hemp industry." The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America called the proposal "overly broad," noting that states have implemented robust regulations to ensure safety and that the bill undermines those efforts.
Supporters of the legislation argue it addresses concerns about unregulated products, particularly those marketed to children or containing high THC levels. They claim the 2018 Farm Bill inadvertently allowed potent hemp-derived products to flood the market, necessitating stricter controls. However, opponents counter that the bill fails to distinguish between safe, regulated products and those from unscrupulous vendors, potentially driving consumers to black markets.
The bill’s fate remains uncertain as it moves through the legislative process. Its passage would require approval from the full House, Senate, and the president, whose administration’s stance on the issue is unclear. Meanwhile, states continue to navigate their own cannabis policies, with some legalizing medical or recreational marijuana while others impose bans on THC products. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities, public health, and economic interests, leaving the future of hemp-derived edibles in limbo.
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The hemp industry, which has grown significantly since legalization, faces existential risks. Industry advocates argue the bill could devastate businesses, eliminate jobs, and disrupt a market that includes grains, oils, and fibers alongside edibles.
Critics, including a hemp company spokesperson, warn it could "destroy the entire American hemp industry." The Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America called the proposal "overly broad," noting that states have implemented robust regulations to ensure safety and that the bill undermines those efforts.
Supporters of the legislation argue it addresses concerns about unregulated products, particularly those marketed to children or containing high THC levels. They claim the 2018 Farm Bill inadvertently allowed potent hemp-derived products to flood the market, necessitating stricter controls. However, opponents counter that the bill fails to distinguish between safe, regulated products and those from unscrupulous vendors, potentially driving consumers to black markets.
The bill’s fate remains uncertain as it moves through the legislative process. Its passage would require approval from the full House, Senate, and the president, whose administration’s stance on the issue is unclear. Meanwhile, states continue to navigate their own cannabis policies, with some legalizing medical or recreational marijuana while others impose bans on THC products. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities, public health, and economic interests, leaving the future of hemp-derived edibles in limbo.
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