KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell used the recent government shutdown to introduce language that would ban most hemp products in stores, citing concerns about protecting children from intoxicating substances.

McConnell said on the Senate floor last week that the measure would close loopholes from the 2018 Farm Bill.

“Companies have exploited a loophole in the 2018 legislation by taking legal amounts of THC from hemp and turning it into intoxicating substances and then marketing it to children,” McConnell said.

Travis McKinney, owner of The Blom Shop, said he expects the language to change.

“I can’t imagine we won’t get this language changed,” McKinney said.

Tennessee growers recently fought to keep hemp flower in stores and now face a potential federal ban. Mc

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