WASHINGTON — A provision in the federal spending bill signed by President Trump may significantly impact the THC-infused product market, which includes gummies, drinks, topical pain relief, and vapes. These products have become widely available in various retail locations, from gas stations to wellness shops. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp, a cannabis derivative, creating a loophole that allowed low-dose THC products to flourish in the consumer market. However, the new legislation restricts products to no more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container.

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable has expressed serious concerns about the potential consequences of this ban. They warn that it could devastate the $28.4 billion hemp industry and threaten over 300,000 jobs across the country. The group estimates that the ban could eliminate 95% of the market, leading to the closure of small businesses and farms, and result in a loss of $1.5 billion in tax revenue for states.

Senator Rand Paul attempted to amend the bill to remove this provision, but the Senate voted overwhelmingly to table his proposal. Paul stated that this decision comes at a particularly challenging time for farmers, warning that it could "eradicate the hemp industry."

Stacy, a hemp farmer from Woodstock, Illinois, shared her concerns during a call to the Washington Journal on C-SPAN. She explained that her joint and muscle salve, which is a non-intoxicating topical product, would be banned under the new law. "They sneak that in and crush the industry. My business is completely over," she said. "I have one year to wind this business down, and nobody is talking about the hundreds of thousands of people—farmers, processors, retail stores. This is going to have incredible ripple effects across the economy."

Supporters of the provision argue that it is a necessary step to address the exploitation of the loophole created by the 2018 Farm Bill. Senator Mitch McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture and Appropriations Committees, claimed that companies have taken advantage of the loophole by converting legal amounts of THC from hemp into intoxicating products.

This sentiment is echoed by numerous state attorneys general, who recently sent a letter to Congress. They warned that the loophole has been misused by bad actors to sell recreational synthetic THC products, contributing to the rapid growth of an underregulated industry that poses risks to public health and safety.

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable countered that over 90% of non-intoxicating hemp-derived products exceed the 0.4 milligram limit. They argue that this ban would force seniors, veterans, and others who depend on these products for pain management or sleep to violate federal law, disrupting their care and potentially leading them to seek harmful alternatives.