The future of intoxicating hemp products in the USA is looking particularly precarious after recent Senate vote.
As we reported yesterday, a provision in a government funding deal being considered to re-open the US Government contained language that would ban the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based products such as those containing delta-8 THC.
Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul filed an amendment in an attempt to remove the language before allowing the bill to clear the Senate.
Senators subsequently voted and the amendment failed in a 76-24 vote. And it also appears President Donald Trump supports inclusion of the intoxicating hemp ban language.
So, what now?
The broader legislation for the spending bill still needs to pass, which if it does would end the government shutdown that has entered its sixth week and created all sorts of havoc, so the pressure is really on.
Commenting on his amendment’s failure, Senator Paul said:
“The hemp provision in this appropriations package wipes out nearly 100% of legal hemp products overnight: killing jobs, crushing farmers, and overriding 23 state laws that already regulate hemp responsibly. Our farmers have turned to hemp as a lifeline when fertilizer, fuel, and equipment costs skyrocketed and crop prices fell. Instead of working with us to crack down on bad actors and synthetic cannabinoids, some in Congress chose prohibition.”
His fight isn’t over yet. On Tuesday, the Hemp Roundtable reported Senator Paul is submitting an emergency amendment to again attempt to strike the hemp ban from the proposed legislation.
“We support Senator Rand Paul’s efforts to push back on this language and will continue to fight alongside him for a regulated, safe, and robust hemp industry,” reiterated U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel Jonathan Miller.
If the broader legislation passes, it won’t come into effect for a year, and the Hemp Roundtable is gearing up to reverse it during that period if it should eventuate.
The group maintains that if passed, the legislation would wipe out 95% of the industry, seeing small businesses and American farms exiting hemp while costing states $1.5 billion in lost tax revenue. However, the ban would not have any impact on farmers growing industrial hemp for food and fiber purposes.
The House is expected to vote on final passage of the funding bill around 7 p.m local time today.
