Senior Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar is advocating to reverse the USA’s recently enacted federal ban on hemp, working across the aisle to change it.
The future legal availability of intoxicating hemp products in the USA is looking particularly precarious after a vote for a government funding deal struck to re-open the US Government in November contained language that would federally ban the unregulated sale of such products; including those containing delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
While not affecting farmers and businesses in the grain and fiber sectors, US hemp industry advocacy group Hemp Roundtable says the ban will impact more than 95% of all hemp extract products.
But the ban won’t come into effect for a year, and the industry is scrambling to have the decision reversed in favour of better regulation.
Minnesota’s Senator Amy Klobuchar is among those pursuing change.
“A one-size fits all approach to hemp regulation doesn’t work for states like Minnesota that already have strong safety standards in place,” said Klobuchar. “We can protect our kids and support our small businesses — Minnesota’s model proves that’s possible.”
Senator Klobuchar said the ban threatens 2,700 Minnesota jobs.
“I want our state’s small businesses and farmers to know: I’ve got your back.”
Senator Klobuchar previously voted against the spending bill and voted for an amendment by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to remove the provision impacting hemp businesses. However, the Senate rejected the amendment 76-24.
The senator made her comments while visiting Wild State Cider, which produces hemp-infused beverages containing THC extract under its “Birdie” brand. Ryan Kopperud, Vice President of Growth of Birdie, said the future for the industry as things currently stand is “frankly terrifying”.
“What’s at stake here is not just one business. Not just one taproom. It’s manufacturers, distributors, retailers, farmers, labs—the entire system behind these hemp products people already trust. “Responsible, compliant, transparent businesses, and the jobs, revenue, and tax base that come with them.”
But not all businesses are responsible and compliant. A recent study found sale of intoxicating hemp-based THC products to underage purchasers in a couple of Minnesota cities are all too common; providing some justification for the ban.
