$28 Billion Hemp THC Industry Fights Federal Ban as Congress Delays 0.4-Milligram Cap to Dec. 11
Updated
Updated · abcnews.com · Oct 3
$28 Billion Hemp THC Industry Fights Federal Ban as Congress Delays 0.4-Milligram Cap to Dec. 11
3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Oct 3
Summary
A federal ban on intoxicating hemp products was pushed back from Nov. 12 to Dec. 11, giving the industry a narrow window to persuade Congress to regulate rather than effectively shut it down.
The fight centers on a loophole in the 2018 farm bill that defined hemp by delta-9 THC content, allowing gummies, drinks and vape products to stay legal while still delivering intoxicating doses.
The new rule would cap THC at 0.4 milligrams per container, a level producers say would wipe out much of the market and even catch some non-intoxicating CBD products.
Whitney Economics estimated the ban could erase $28.3 billion in retail revenue, displace 225,000 jobs and cut potential state sales-tax collections by $2.1 billion.
Supporters including hemp firms and some alcohol retailers want age limits and potency rules instead, while anti-marijuana groups and state-legal cannabis operators back the crackdown.