Cannabis News
Bipartisan Senators Push To Delay Federal Hemp THC Product Ban As Lawmakers Consider Regulatory Alternatives To Prohibition
A bipartisan group of senators is pushing to give the hemp industry two more years before the federal ban on THC products takes effect, which activists hope will better position them to negotiate a broader compromise with lawmakers.
After President Donald Trump signed a spending bill last year with provisions that would have wiped out a prominent sector of the hemp economy, businesses and advocates quickly called for at least a delay in its implementation. Currently, the law will enter into force in November.
Now, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have introduced new legislation that would push that timeline back another two years, giving hemp interests more time to say the policy would significantly harm the industry, which was legalized in Trump’s first term under the 2018 Farm Bill.
The measureEntitled the Hemp Planting Provision Act, it simply states: “Section 781 of the Appropriations Act of 2026 of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (7 USC 1639o note; Public Law 119-37) is amended by striking “365 days” and inserting “365 years” in the subject matter before paragraph (1).
Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) and bipartisan sponsor introduced similar legislation in the House to delay the hemp ban earlier this week.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY), who is sponsoring the proposal, appeared at a press conference on Thursday. farmers concerned about the impact of the federal hemp ban in their businesses.
what’s the point Four out of five marijuana users say they oppose the recriminalization of THC hemp products According to the spending bill Trump signed in November. However, it should be noted that this survey was conducted a few weeks before the cannabis rescheduling order and measures to protect access to full-spectrum CBD.
Trump signed an executive order last month directing the attorney general to change marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Part of that announcement also has implications for the upcoming hemp law. The president’s order also asked Congress consider updating the definition of hemp to ensure that full-spectrum CBD is available to patients.
Another redefinition of hemp would be part of a novel proposal allow Medicare recipients to access non-toxic CBD that would be covered under the federal health care plan.
To make this happen, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will “enable a model that will allow certain CMS beneficiaries to benefit from receiving CBD at no cost on the basis of a physician’s recommendation,” a White House official announced in a briefing. Marihuana Moment first reported the leaked details ahead of the signing ceremony.
Trump appeared to support a more flexible CBD policy last summer shared a video calling for that exact reform while promoting the health benefits of cannabidiolespecially for the elderly.
Meanwhile, it would make way for a recently introduced bill in the Republican-led Congress stop implementing the hemp ban under established credit legislation.
Hemp companies and industry groups have warned about the potential ramifications of the ban, but despite states in support of cannabis rights and a recent social media post extolling the benefits of CBD, Trump signed the underlying spending measure into law without endorsing the hemp provisions.
GOP political operative Roger Stone recently said it was Trump effectively “forced” Republican lawmakers to sign the spending bill with language to ban hemp THC.
However, a White House spokesman said before signing the bill Trump was particularly supportive of the ban’s language.
The Democratic governor of Kentucky said that the hemp industry is an “important” part of the economy that deserves to be regulated at the state level—instead of being banned federally, as Congress has done—.
Additionally, a leading veterans organization is alerting Congressional leaders to the recently passed blanket ban on consumable hemp products. could inadvertently “close the door” on critical inquiry.
—
It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.
Learn more about our marijuana bill tracking and become a Patreon supporter to gain access
—
Since 2018, cannabis products have been considered legal hemp if they contain less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC by dry weight.
The new legislation specifies that, within a year of taking effect, the weight will be applied to total THC—including delta-8 and other isomers. Also, “as tetrahydrocannabinol (or any other marketed cannabinoid) with similar effects in humans or animals (as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services).”
The new definition of legal hemp will also prohibit “any hemp-derived cannabinoid intermediate product marketed or sold as an end product or directly to an end consumer for personal or household use” as well as products containing cannabinoids that are synthesized or manufactured outside of the cannabis plant or that are unable to produce it naturally.
Legal hemp products will be limited to a total of 0.4 milligrams of total THC or any other cannabinoid with similar effects per container.
Within 90 days of the bill’s passage, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies must “publish a list of all cannabinoids known to the FDA to be naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant, as reflected in the peer-reviewed literature,” which include “all tetrahydrocannabinol classes known” in natural plants and “known cannabinoids.” Cannabinoids that have or are marketed as having effects similar to cannabinoids of the tetrahydrocannabinol class.”
The language differs slightly from provisions in legislation advanced out of the House and Senate Appropriations panels, which would have banned products with “quantifiable” amounts of THC, to be determined by the HHS secretary and the agriculture secretary.
Read the full text of the Senate bill invoice below:
Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.
The Cannabis Control Commission, the government body that oversees the marijuana business in the state of Massachusetts (USA), has decided to temporarily stop accepting new license applications for growing marijuana, both indoors and outdoors. This hiatus officially began on June 16, 2026.
Anyone planning to apply for a new marijuana cultivation license after June 16, 2026 will not be able to do so while this suspension is in effect. The Commission will not accept such requests during this period.
There are two groups that can continue normally. First, anyone who submitted an application before June 16, 2026, will continue to review and process applications as usual. Second, applicants for specific programs designed to help communities historically affected by drug laws, known as the Social Equity Program and the Economic Empowerment Program, are exempt from this suspension if they apply for a smaller-scale “Microenterprise” license.
The suspension will be in effect for 120 days from June 16, 2026, which is currently scheduled to be lifted around mid-October 2026. However, the Commission has the power to terminate earlier or extend further, depending on market conditions.
Source: Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission
Cannabis News
Federal Marijuana Rescheduling ‘Does Not Appear To Apply’ To Washington Businesses, State Officials Say
The medical cannabis market is expected to grow from $47 billion to $149 billion by 2031, and New Zealand has a real role to play in that story. And thanks in large part to New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the government’s international business development agency, Puro is starting to play.
At Cannabis Europa 2026 London, NZTE hosted an evening event at the City Arts Bar with Puro, New Zealand companies Bluelab, Rua Bioscience and CannFX. Puro called it The NZ Room.
Beyond all things Kiwiana – including Puro brand kiwifruit, Kiwi’d – the room was filled with some pretty amazing people: Ivy League scientists, company founders, patients, advocates, industry players, government officials, Maori tribal leaders and a tough Scotsman. All in the same space with the same true passion for where this industry is going.
It was one of those rooms where conversations went well when they had to end. That’s usually a sign of something well done.
Made possible by NZTE
For Puro, the NZTE relationship has been formative. With ongoing support, Puro has entered the Australian market with 47 unique product SKUs and signed a £7 million supply agreement with UK distributor IPS Pharma.
NZTE understands the potential of the New Zealand cannabis industry. The willingness to support this nascent industry and put New Zealand in the spotlight at events like Cannabis Europa is very significant. New Zealand is a small country and the country’s credibility in international markets is built from relationship to relationship, room by room. NZTE helps build those rooms.
© Cigar
what’s next
For the first time, patients in the UK have access to medicinal cannabis grown in New Zealand. That’s the direct result of years of work by Puro’s team, but it’s not worth much if you can’t connect with buyers globally. Creating international relationships that events like Cannabis Europa make this possible.
“We are grateful for the extensive support from the New Zealand Government that drives our progress, including the Ministry of Primary Industries’ support for our genetic breeding, product innovation and market access goals. This collective effort from agencies such as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, NZTE and the New Zealand Export Credit Bureau ensures that Mail that started in London will continue to grow in Puro’s international goals,” he said. a statement
For more information:
clean
www.puro.co.nz
Legalization Tabled in NH! California Weed Contaminated! Trulieve fined $350k for hazardous facility
CANNABIS NOW | EUGENIO GARCIA
Marijuana Retail Report
Massachusetts CCC pauses license applications
Trulieve’s News, Canopy’s Turnaround, and Vireo Growth
Federal Marijuana Rescheduling ‘Does Not Appear To Apply’ To Washington Businesses, State Officials Say
Massachusetts High Court Allows Ballot Measure to End Adult-Use Cannabis Sales to Proceed
NFL Vet Sues The Denver Broncos for fines for his medical use! South Dakota Ballot ? for 3rd time!
CANNABIS BRAND | SALVADOR SANTANA
Marijuana Retail Report
“Our system can manage equipment across 10,000+ m² using just a few wires”
Florida Workshop to Discuss What Constitutes a ‘Cartoon’ in Hemp Packaging
Mazar-i-Sharif Hash Wednesday
Afghan Black Hash Wednesday
Weak Michigan Cannabis Sales Again in July – New Cannabis Ventures
From Finance to Wellness: Brad Zerman’s Impactful Pivot
DEA’s Cole Reverses His “priorities” ; Prohibitionists Dig In; Dead & Co Celebrates 60 years in SF
Re-release of the full show of Cannabis Coast to Coast news. Republican Texas DA Fires Up vs. laws;
Your Cannabis Business: Consistent Filings Are Critical
Curaleaf Q2 Revenue Falls 8% – New Cannabis Ventures
-
Cannabis News10 months ago“Our system can manage equipment across 10,000+ m² using just a few wires”
-
Florida10 months agoFlorida Workshop to Discuss What Constitutes a ‘Cartoon’ in Hemp Packaging
-
Video9 months agoMazar-i-Sharif Hash Wednesday
-
Video8 months agoAfghan Black Hash Wednesday
-
aawh10 months agoWeak Michigan Cannabis Sales Again in July – New Cannabis Ventures
-
Video10 months agoFrom Finance to Wellness: Brad Zerman’s Impactful Pivot
-
Video10 months agoDEA’s Cole Reverses His “priorities” ; Prohibitionists Dig In; Dead & Co Celebrates 60 years in SF
-
Video10 months agoRe-release of the full show of Cannabis Coast to Coast news. Republican Texas DA Fires Up vs. laws;