Hemp Industry Panics Over THC Ban Hidden in Funding Bill.

2 hours ago7 min read1 comments

The hemp industry is launching an all-out political counteroffensive after discovering a legislative landmine buried deep within the must-pass government funding bill—a provision that industry leaders warn could effectively criminalize most hemp products currently on the market. This isn't just about the psychoactive compounds; even non-intoxicating products containing more than 0.4% THC would be swept into prohibition territory, creating a regulatory apocalypse for a sector that has operated in a legal gray area since the 2018 Farm Bill. The strategic placement of this language reveals a sophisticated political operation, reminiscent of last-minute riders attached to essential spending packages that force opponents into impossible choices between industry collapse and government shutdown.Industry lobbyists are now executing emergency protocols—drafting amendments, mobilizing grassroots campaigns, and preparing for legislative trench warfare that will test their influence against better-funded pharmaceutical and alcohol interests who view hemp-derived products as direct market threats. The timing suggests calculated opportunism, using budget chaos to advance what would otherwise face stiff resistance as standalone legislation.This legislative ambush mirrors tactics seen in previous policy battles over cannabis banking and CBD regulation, where complex jurisdictional fights between the FDA, DEA, and USDA have created a regulatory no-man's-land that leaves entrepreneurs vulnerable to precisely this kind of political maneuvering. The coming weeks will determine whether the hemp coalition can mount an effective defense or whether this becomes another case study in how niche industries get steamrolled by Washington's appropriations process.

#hemp industry

#THC ban

#government funding bill

#lobbying

#regulation

#panic

#featured