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Congressional Deal Would Ban Many Hemp THC Products, While Excluding Provisions To Let VA Doctors Recommend Medical Marijuana

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2 months ago

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Newly released spending legislation negotiated by congressional leaders would recriminalize many hemp-derived products. It also rejects provisions previously passed by the House and Senate that would have allowed Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors to begin prescribing medical marijuana to patients.

The new measure, if signed into law, would ban certain hemp products that were legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill signed by President Donald Trump during his first term.

The negotiated bill “prevents the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based or hemp-derived products, including Delta-8, online, at gas stations and in corner stores, while not preserving CBD and industrial hemp products,” according to a summary released Sunday by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Under current law, cannabis products are 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 all 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 would 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 cannot be produced naturally by the plant.

Legal hemp products would be limited to a total of .4 milligrams of THC or any other cannabinoids with similar effects.

Within 90 days of the bill’s passage, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other agencies would be required to “publish a list of all cannabinoids known to FDA to be naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant, as reflected in the peer-reviewed literature,” “all tetrahydrocannabinol classes known to be plants of the cannabinoid class known” and “all cannabinoids” known to occur naturally. cannabinoids that have or are marketed as having effects similar to cannabinoids of the tetrahydrocannabinol class.

The deal was agreed to by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins (R-ME) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), the ranking minority on the panel, as well as House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK). But Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House floor, did not sign on.

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.

Jim Higdon, founder of Cornbread Hemp, said the Senate Appropriations Committee’s summary of the bill describing the legality of non-medical CBD products is “a lie.”

“The 0.4 mg limit will make 100 percent of Cornbread Hemp products illegal, including our full-spectrum CBD products, topical CBD products, and even CBD oils,” he told Marijuana Momenti.

Separately, newly released credits legislation rejects language passed by a chamber earlier this year let VA doctors recommend medical cannabis to their military veteran patients in states where it is legal.

The House and Senate passed slightly different provisions on the matter.

Here is the text of the House version:

“None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs in this Act shall be used to enforce Veterans Health Care Directive 1315 as it relates to:

(1) a policy stating that “VHA providers are prohibited from filling out forms or registering veterans to participate in a State-approved marijuana program”;

(2) a directive from the “Under Secretary of Health for Operations and Management” that “directors of medical facilities are aware that it is VHA policy to assess the marijuana use of veterans by providers, but providers are prohibited from recommending, making referrals, or processing veterans’ participation in State marijuana programs”; and

(3) A directive to the “VA Medical Director” that “VA facility personnel be aware of” “recommend[ing]the prohibition, making referrals, or completing forms and registering veterans to participate in State-approved marijuana programs.”

The Senate language reads:

“None of the funds vested or otherwise made available to the Department of Veterans Affairs in this Act shall be used for:

(1) Impeding a veteran’s ability to participate in a state-approved medical marijuana program;

(2) Deny any service provided to the Department to a veteran participating in such program; or

(3) Limit or interfere with the ability of a health care provider of the department to make appropriate recommendations, complete forms, or take action to comply with such program.

The negotiated bill released Sunday contains no language on that issue.

In recent years, both the House and the Senate had it included provisions in the respective MilConVA measures that would be allow VA doctors to make cannabis recommendationsbut they have never become law.

The new appropriations bill is part of a three-bill package to fund various federal agencies through fiscal year 2026. It is expected to be considered soon in the Senate, along with an ongoing resolution involving other agencies that, if passed by both chambers and signed into law by Trump, would end the government shutdown.

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New Plant Improvement Act comes into effect

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9 hours ago

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December 27, 2025

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The South African Department of Agriculture has announced that the Plant Improvement Act 2018 (Act 11 of 2018) and accompanying regulations came into force on 1 December 2025. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the proclamation of the new Act after Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen approved the regulations. The Act replaces the Plant Improvement Act 1976 (Act 53 of 1976). Both the proclamation and its regulations were published in Official Gazette 53707 of November 21, 2025.

The updated legislation establishes systems for the registration of businesses related to plants and propagating materials for cultivation and sale, as well as the registration of the premises where these businesses operate. It also establishes quality standards for plants and propagating material, determines sales conditions and establishes a national list of plant varieties. The law includes processes for evaluating plant varieties when there is uncertainty about their value for cultivation and use, and strengthens import and export control of plants and propagating material. Certification schemes for plants and propagating material are also part of the framework.

The 2018 Act introduces new provisions that were not included in the 1976 Act. These additions include the registration of businesses related to plants and propagating material, along with new rules for the cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) varieties in South Africa. The revised definition now classifies hemp as a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) plant or plant part containing no more than 2 percent transdelta 9 THC, a change from the previous limit of 0.2 percent. The Act also provides for the publication of a Gazette of the National List of Varieties and specifies the process for hearing claims submitted to the Registry in connection with applications for the National List of Plant Varieties. In addition, the Law establishes an advisory committee that can assist the Registry in technical or administrative matters related to its implementation.

According to the department, the Plant Improvement Act creates a legal framework for the production and sale of high-quality seeds and vegetative propagation material. This framework supports the productivity and long-term sustainability of food production in South Africa.

Source: South African Government News Agency










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Trump’s Marijuana Order Means Congress Must Delay The Federal Hemp Ban’s Timeline (Op-Ed)

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9 hours ago

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December 27, 2025

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“Congress, you have orders from the president. Extend the implementation period of the hemp ban.”

By Adam Terry, Cantrip

As it was widely reported, last week the entire cannabis universe watched as President Donald Trump signed an executive order to change marijuana from schedule I to III. What wasn’t as widely reported was what Trump also did: He addressed lawmakers again on the law As Congress passed the new definition of hemp last month.

The exact text of the executive order reads:

“The Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Policy, and Public Affairs will work with Congress to update the final statutory definition of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to ensure that Americans have access to appropriate full-spectrum CBD products, in line with Congress’ intent to reduce the sale of products that pose serious health risks…”

This provision is careful and detailed. He directs a deputy chief of staff to work with Congress to update the new definition of hemp, directly acknowledging what the hemp industry has been saying for weeks: full-spectrum CBD products are not eligible under this new language.

He specifically acknowledges that if CBD products are to be subsidized or covered by Medicare, as is part of Trump’s plan, those products will be hemp-derived.

Full-spectrum CBD is a staple for many Americans. It is a lifesaver for veterans and senior citizens who rely on these products for various therapeutic purposes. It is a crucial element for some people with epilepsy, including pediatric patients. I’ve had moms and dads message me that Epidiolex, a federally approved CBD prescription drug, wasn’t working for their kids, and instead they were relying on other CBD products to find relief for their kids.

This is not just politics for them, but a stark reality.

You can’t have full-spectrum CBD with only 0.4 mg of THC per container, as required by the newly enacted change to the federal definition of hemp, and the president acknowledged that in his executive order, I’m sure with counsel to groups like the Commonwealth Project who were at the signing. Therefore, it is very likely that the definition of hemp will be reopened and legalized.

So here’s the bottom line: this conversation will take time, and probably longer than hemp has left before the ban comes into force late next year. While I have been working with the New Jersey legislature for nearly three years to craft a bill to regulate hemp cannabinoids in a way that does not diminish the CBD market, it has yet to make full impact in the state due to this complexity.

This means that the best first step for Congress to take is to extend the deadline for implementing a revised definition of hemp to ensure access to full-spectrum CBD for the tens of millions of Americans who will lose access next November if this language is enacted.

With 2026 being a close election year, most legislation will slow down after April, so it is unlikely that a final bill updating this language and regulating hemp cannabinoids will reach the finish line until the next Congress, which begins in January 2027. And the extension must pass soon, because farmers can’t plant in the spring if their harvest is in time.

I look forward to the next interview. Hemp needs to be regulated in this country, that much is clear. The White House has just sent a signal that prohibitionist redefinition cannot stand if the people who rely most on cannabis are to do well, especially in red states that voted for this president and those who have no access to cannabis outside of hemp products.

Congress, you have orders from the president. Extend the implementation period of the hemp ban, and let’s do the real hard work to craft legislation that includes safe access to cannabis for Americans in this great nation.

Adam Terry is the co-founder and CEO of THC-infused beverage company Cantrip.

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Greenhouse hygiene programs emphasize deep-penetration sanitation during cleanouts

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1 day ago

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December 26, 2025

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During winter clean-ups, greenhouse operators prepare facilities for the next production cycle, with hygiene remaining a critical focus. Effective sanitation during crop transition plays a key role in reducing pathogen pressure and promoting long-term crop health, particularly in operations that manage virus risks such as Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).

Disinfectants commonly included in greenhouse hygiene programs include Intra Multi Des GA, supplied in North America by Houweling Americas. “This product is widely used by vegetable and ornamental growers as part of comprehensive cleaning and routine sanitation strategies, especially where deep penetration is required on complex surfaces,” says the Houweling Americas team.

© Houweling Americas

Getting under the surface
Biofilms and organic debris continue to limit the effectiveness of many disinfectants, harboring microorganisms in cracks, crevices, and porous materials. According to the Multi Des GA technical team, the formulation is designed to address this challenge through penetration rather than surface activity.

“Intra Multi Des GA has five active ingredients that work together to provide strong penetration properties, allowing the product to reach microorganisms hiding in difficult access areas,” the team explained. While not positioned as a dedicated biofilm remover, the formulation is intended to reveal and eliminate pathogens sheltered beneath biofilm layers.

For best results, a two-step sanitation approach is recommended: deep cleaning to remove organic matter and biofilm, followed by disinfection. “Skip the cleaning step increases the risk of completely eliminating pathogens,” the team noted, highlighting the continued opportunity for farmer education around proper hygiene sequencing.

The role of cleaning before disinfection
As part of the Intracare product portfolio, Houweling Americas also supplies Intra Foam Organics, a cleaner designed to remove organic material prior to disinfection. Organic debris can significantly reduce disinfectant performance if not completely removed, especially on high-traffic or porous surfaces. When used as a first step, cleaners like Intra Foam Organics help ensure that disinfectants can come into direct contact with target pathogens.

Performance on porous and uneven surfaces
Concrete floors, block walls and other porous greenhouse materials remain among the most difficult areas to sanitize. According to internal tests, Intra Multi Des GA works reliably on these surfaces, moving into the micro-cracks where pathogens can persist.

“When applied to porous materials such as concrete blocks, the formulation moves significantly across the substrate,” the team explained. “This behavior is different from traditional disinfectants that remain on the surface and do not reach the embedded microorganisms.”

© Houweling Americas

Broad spectrum pathogen control
Growers of all types of crops rely on Intra Multi Des GA to manage a wide range of pathogens, including fungal, bacterial and viral threats. The reported efficacy against ToBRFV has made it an essential component of hygiene protocols in tomato production.

“Intra Multi Des GA has shown excellent efficacy against ToBRFV and has proven effective in eliminating the virus on contact when used appropriately,” the team reported. Beyond viral control, growers also use the product against pathogens such as Fusarium and Pythium in crop and ornamental systems.

Waste behavior and crop turnover
Unlike non-residue disinfectants, Intra Multi Des GA is designed to leave a residual effect on treated surfaces during cleaning, providing extensive protection between crops. This waste is not intended to come into contact with the collected products, but is used to maintain sanitation during downtime.

Operational efficiency is another matter. The product is applied at a low concentration of use, requires a short contact time and usually requires only one application, allowing rapid crop rotations without compromising hygiene standards.

Long-term sanitation results
Growers who consistently incorporate Intra Multi Des GA have reported cumulative improvements in crop rotation hygiene programs over multiple seasons. In one documented case, a Dutch tomato operation managing ToBRFV reported no subsequent infections after integrating the product into the cleaning protocol.

“Starting clean remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of early cycle infection,” the team emphasizes.

Supporting North American producers
Houweling Americas supplies Intra Multi Des GA and other Intracare solutions through established distribution partners and provides technical support to assist with implementation. In addition to hygiene products, the company’s portfolio includes nutrient solutions, growing substrates, LED lighting, water treatment technologies and biostimulants such as Intra Eco Shield, with Intra Boost, a next-generation willow bark-derived biostimulant, scheduled for a North American launch in early 2026.

Based in British Columbia and Ontario, Houweling Americas works closely with growers to develop integrated solution programs that support yield, plant health and resilience. The company is part of Royal Houweling, a Dutch family business founded in 1925 and recently recognized with royal status for its long-term commitment to horticulture and sustainability.

For growers seeking technical guidance on hygiene protocols or product performance, the Houweling Americas team encourages direct engagement for further assistance.

For more information:
Houweling America
1-800-252-5824
houwelingamericas.com

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