House Agriculture Committee Leadership Set. Updates in Ohio, Illinois and Hawaii

House Agriculture Committee Leadership Set: Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) Continues as Chairman, Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN) is Ranking Member 

The U.S. House Agriculture Committee has officially announced its new leadership for the upcoming legislative session. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) will continue his role as Chairman, while Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN) will serve as the Ranking Member.

Both members have a strong history with hemp-related issues. Newly elected Ranking Member Angie Craig was the lead Democrat on H.R. 1628 and H.R. 1629—two bills that would have allowed the FDA to regulate CBD products. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable proudly endorsed both bills and commends the Congresswoman for her bipartisan leadership in seeking clear federal guidance for cannabinoid products.

Congressman GT Thompson will continue in his role as Chairman, a position he has held since 2023. During last year’s Farm Bill negotiations, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable met with Chairman Thompson and urged him to preserve the current definition of hemp in the Farm Bill.

After the now-infamous “Mary Miller” amendment was added to the House Agriculture Farm Bill text in an “en bloc” manner, Chairman Thompson publicly voiced his concerns about the amendment’s language. In an interview with Bloomberg Government, Thompson stated, “My observation was there are members who felt that the Agriculture Committee was taken advantage of. Depending on how this bill goes, how the Senate feels about it—yeah, it is one of the more controversial parts, so I don’t know how this ends up in the final Farm Bill.”

“The House Agriculture Committee’s new leadership reflects a continued focus on supporting American farmers, creating jobs, and addressing emerging markets like hemp and cannabinoids,” said U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel Jonathan Miller. “We look forward to working with Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Craig to advance responsible legislation that ensures consumer safety and fosters growth in this innovative sector.

Ohio Finishes Session Without Doing Anything New on Hemp

Great news from the Buckeye State:  Ohio concluded its 2024 legislative session without adopting proposed restrictive measures on hemp or delta-8 products. 

Our lobbying efforts  were successful.  Thanks Hemp Supporters who made their voices heard in Columbus.

However, after you celebrate the holidays and the new year, we will be back at it fighting ban efforts. New House and Senate leadership, both vocal about their concerns with THC products, are likely to pursue stringent regulations, including proposals to ban or shift products under the state’s marijuana dispensary system.

Stay tuned for updates as this continues to evolve in 2025.The Roundtable recently submitted comments opposing a proposed rule in Missouri that would prohibit hemp and cannabinoid products from being sold in liquor-licensed facilities.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker Expresses Strong Support for House Bill 4293, Which Would Ban Most Hemp-Derived Products. 

Illinois continues to be a battleground state for hemp policy. Governor J.B. Pritzker recently expressed strong support for House Bill 4293, which would result in the ban of most hemp-derived products. During the press conference, Gov. Pritzker stated that the bill would close a regulatory loophole, protect consumers—particularly minors—and align these products with the state’s regulated cannabis dispensary system.  But the actual bill goes much too far.

“HB 4293 is not regulation—it’s a full-scale ban that wipes out nearly all federally legal hemp-derived products, including CBD lotions, shampoos, and pet care items,” stated the Illinois Hemp Business Association in response to Pritzker’s endorsement. Similarly, the Illinois Hemp Growers Association criticized the legislation as “anti-competitive and shortsighted” and instead advocates for alternative legislation like HB 5903, which seeks to develop fair and comprehensive regulations for the state’s hemp industry.

In May, we celebrated the temporary death of this bill during the most recent legislative session. But the Governor’s endorsement signals a potential revival in the upcoming 2025 legislative session, as early as January.  Stay tuned to this space for the next action.

Hawaii Promulgates New Interim Rules Permitting Low-Dose Hemp Products.

Hawaii’s Department of Health recently promulgated new interim rules (effective December 6, 2024) permitting low-dose hemp products in the state. The new rules introduce critical consumer protections while also allowing the sale of low-dose manufactured hemp products, such as gummies and beverages, within clearly defined limits. These measures aim to ensure public safety and maintain the integrity of Hawaii’s regulated market for hemp products.
 
However, there are concerns that the regulations may be overly burdensome for the state’s hemp farmers and small businesses. For example, the rules impose strict limits on the total THC content of hemp-derived products, which some stakeholders fear could restrict market opportunities and disadvantage local producers in favor of larger, more established operations. Additionally, while the rules provide clarity for manufacturers, they may unintentionally create compliance challenges that could stifle innovation and growth within Hawaii’s hemp industry.
 
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable commends the state’s efforts to implement safeguards that protect consumers, particularly minors, while promoting responsible product standards. However, we urge state regulators to engage further with industry stakeholders to ensure that these rules do not hinder the economic potential of Hawaii’s hemp sector. Collaborative efforts should aim to balance robust consumer protections with fair opportunities for hemp businesses to thrive.