Hemp Industry Under Fire: New Congressional Bill Could Ban Most THC Products
The hemp industry is facing what many consider its biggest threat since legalization, as a House committee just approved legislation that could effectively eliminate most hemp products currently on the market.
What Just Happened?
On June 5th, 2025, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture approved a spending bill in a close 9-7 vote that would dramatically redefine what counts as legal hemp. The change might sound technical, but its impact would be anything but subtle.
Currently, hemp products can contain up to 0.3% THC by dry weight and still be considered legal. The new proposal would ban any hemp products with "quantifiable" amounts of THC or other cannabinoids that have similar effects. This means even your everyday CBD products that contain trace amounts of THC could suddenly become illegal.
The Ripple Effect
Here's where it gets interesting (and concerning for the industry): this change wouldn't just affect the obviously intoxicating products like Delta-8. It would impact the vast majority of hemp products currently sold across the country, including many that consumers don't even think of as containing THC.
Rep. Andy Harris, who chairs the subcommittee, argues this legislation "closes the hemp loophole" and targets products being sold "under the false guise of being USDA approved." His goal is to eliminate what he sees as dangerous products while protecting legitimate industrial hemp operations.
Industry Pushback is Swift
The hemp industry isn't taking this lying down. Jim Higdon from Kentucky-based Cornbread Hemp put it bluntly: "If this amendment becomes law, it will destroy the entire American hemp industry and set back a decade's worth of progress."
Even some unexpected voices are raising concerns. The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America called the provision "overly broad" and worried it would "undermine states across the country who have enacted critical regulations."
What's Really at Stake?
The debate reveals a fundamental tension in how we regulate cannabis products. On one side, you have concerns about unregulated intoxicating products being sold at gas stations and online. On the other, there's a thriving industry that's created thousands of jobs and generates significant tax revenue for states.
Aaron Smith from the National Cannabis Industry Association makes a compelling point: banning these products won't make them disappear, it'll just push them into unregulated markets where "drug cartels" benefit instead of legitimate businesses operating under state oversight.
The Broader Context
This isn't happening in isolation. Multiple states have been cracking down on intoxicating hemp products recently, from California to Florida. Texas is wrestling with similar legislation, though Governor Abbott hasn't indicated which way he'll go.
Meanwhile, the alcohol industry has been actively lobbying for federal regulation of hemp beverages, partly because cannabis is increasingly seen as competition for traditional alcoholic drinks.
What Happens Next?
The bill moves to the full House Appropriations Committee for markup on June 11th. While industry stakeholders are concerned about the immediate threat, some are skeptical the legislation will advance in its current form due to various controversial provisions.
The Bottom Line
Whether you're a hemp farmer, CBD user, or just someone interested in sensible drug policy, this development is worth watching. The outcome could reshape an entire industry and affect millions of consumers who rely on these products for health and wellness.
The hemp industry has come a long way since the 2018 Farm Bill opened the door to legal cultivation and sales. Now it faces a critical test of whether that progress can survive shifting political winds and renewed prohibition efforts.
What's clear is that this debate is far from over, and the stakes couldn't be higher for everyone involved in America's hemp economy.