Congress shocked the country when it passed a shutdown bill that would eliminate 99% of hemp products by 2026. Public backlash forced lawmakers to respond, and a new Senate bill now aims to replace prohibition with regulation. The fight is far from over, but pressure is already reshaping the political landscape around hemp.
365 Days to Save the $28 Billion Hemp Industry
Congress inserted language into the shutdown bill that threatens to eliminate a 28 billion market relied on by veterans, older adults, people living with chronic pain, and those avoiding alcohol. The Hemp Beverage Alliance and NORML warned that this crisis is the result of political maneuvering rather than safety concerns. The next 365 days will decide the future of these products.