As Congress voted to end the government shutdown on Wednesday, there was a ban on intoxicating hemp products containing THC, which will have a major impact on businesses in the Pittsburgh area.

On Thursday afternoon, Carter Utz showed off her inventory at Lawrenceville Hemp Co., proud of how far she's come as a business owner.

"We got hit by a car and got a large settlement, and we're able to come out of that better, enriched with this business," Utz said.

She opened her shop on Butler Street in April 2024 to give people a place to buy legal THC products that could help them with chronic pain, inflammation, anxiety and depression.

For her, they've been lifesavers, as someone with Type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

"I was suddenly able to effortlessly have weekends where I do th

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