Urgent Call to Congress: Safeguard Hemp, Support Fair Regulation, and Ensure Child Safety

This week, 20 state Attorneys General petitioned congressional leaders, urging a change to the federal definition of “hemp” – one that could potentially ban most popular hemp extract products and wreak havoc on U.S. hemp farmers.

As reported by Politico, a group of Attorneys General — led by leading hemp-opponent, Indiana AG Todd Rokita – sent this letter to the chairs and ranking members of Congress’s agriculture committees, the lead drafters of the 2024 Farm Bill. In it, the AGs bemoaned the proliferation of unregulated adult hemp products which are sometimes manufactured inappropriately and/or marketed to children. We share those legitimate concerns.

Unfortunately, the AGs propose to throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water. By suggesting that Congress change the definition of “hemp” – without specifying how – mischief can ensue which could likely result in the federal criminalization of currently-legal and popular hemp products. As we have seen in some states, efforts like this have even resulted in bans of non-intoxicating full-spectrum CBD products. 

The appropriate answer is not re-definitions or bans. We need regulation. We have been, and will continue to, advocate for measures prioritizing safety and responsibility without stifling industry growth. Congress must swiftly reject any new prohibition, uphold the current definition of hemp, and ensure that regulatory decisions are rooted in evidence and fairness.

Please use our Federal Action Center TODAY to contact your members of Congress urging them to:

1. Protect the current definition of hemp under federal law for clarity and stability in the regulatory landscape.
2. Implement fair regulations prioritizing safety and responsibility, particularly concerning products posing risks to children.

Together, let’s uphold the integrity of the hemp industry and advocate for policies prioritizing safety, clarity, and sustainability, ensuring a thriving hemp industry for generations to come.

Check out the latest hemp and CBD updates from across the states!

• 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 …
• Roundtable Roundup: Testimony in Ohio, Missouri Comments, Tennessee Final Rules, and Texas Ban Bill Incoming
  Ohio Senate Debates Intoxicating Hemp Product Regulations This week, the Ohio Senate General Government Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 326, which proposes sweeping restrictions on hemp-derived products. If passed, …
• Watch Our General Counsel, Jonathan Miller, Testify Before the Ohio Senate TODAY
  We’re excited to share that Jonathan Miller, General Counsel of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, will testify TODAY before the Ohio Senate General Government Committee against SB 326. Testimony starts at …
• U.S. Hemp Roundtable Reacts to Senate Farm Bill
  Last week, Senate Agriculture Chair Deb Stabenow released the full text of the Senate Democratic version of the 2024 Farm Bill.  The bill text is available here and the summary here. Without any …
• Roundtable Roundup: Ohio Bill Would Ban Full Spectrum Hemp, Proposed Illinois Hemp Amendments Raise Concerns on Testing and Transport Restrictions
  Ohio Unfortunately, as we predicted a few weeks ago, the Ohio Senate introduced a bill—SB 326—which would ban all full spectrum hemp products. Specifically, products that contain more than 0.5mg of …
• Hemp Industry News: U.S. Hemp Authority Webinar Recording, International Hemp Trip, and a USDA Hemp Grant
  We made it! Our USHA webinar went off without a hitch. With over 100 attendees, this was our most successful webinar to date.  Chris Fontes provided an excellent background of …