Connect with us

Cannabis News

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

Published

1 month ago

on

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.

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.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Cannabis News

US (FL): Cannabis company countersues competitor for AI-fabricated extortion

Published

20 hours ago

on

December 9, 2025

By


Leafwell Inc. filed a federal lawsuit against medical marijuana company My Florida Green, alleging that its competitor used artificial intelligence to make legal claims as part of an extortion scheme designed to harm Leafwell’s business. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court…

Continue Reading

Cannabis News

Maine Officials Approve 2026 Ballot Initiative To Largely Repeal Marijuana Legalization Law For Signature Collection

Published

20 hours ago

on

December 9, 2025

By

Maine officials have given permission to prohibition activists to begin gathering signatures for a proposal A ballot initiative that would roll back the state’s voter-approved marijuana legalization law. The measure, if passed, would also overhaul the regulatory structure of the medical cannabis program by establishing product testing requirements.

The proposal — called the “Cannabis Legalization Act and Maine Medical Use of Cannabis Act” — is a revamped version of a marijuana initiative introduced in September, sponsored by a Republican state senator and a former top staffer for then-Gov. Paul LePage (R), staunch prohibitionist.

The latest proposal, a petition approved by the Secretary of State on Monday, would remove and amend multiple sections of the current state statute, which voters approved in 2016 to effectively repeal the legalization of recreational marijuana sales.

Adults over the age of 21 would remain legal to possess 2.5 ounces of cannabis under the proposal, but a section of the law allowing home cultivation would be repealed. The sale and home cultivation of medical marijuana would be legal.

Madison Carey, who was listed as a lead petitioner in the original version of the repeal initiative and remains involved in the current campaign, told Marihuana Momenti on Tuesday that “there needs to be regulation of marijuana,” arguing that her own experience recovering from opioid misuse disorder speaks to the inadequacy of the current law.

“My hope is to raise awareness of the reality of the potential dangers of not having regulation,” he said. “I think people are fed up with the constant use — the constant (retail businesses) coming up where people can legally buy marijuana.”

Of course, repealing the voter-approved law that established the adult-licensed sales system would eliminate the current regulatory infrastructure in place, which reform advocates say helps mitigate public health and safety risks associated with the illegal market.

Rep. David Boyer (R), who led the fight to get a cannabis legalization initiative on Maine’s ballot in 2016 when he was a staff member at the Marihuana Policy Project, said voters should refuse to sign petitions for the new initiative.

“Don’t stop Maine’s progress, don’t stop signing this unfair repeal initiative,” he told Marijuana Moment on Tuesday. “Repealing the legalization of cannabis would shut down an industry larger than lobsters, potatoes and blueberries combined, costing our state jobs, revenue and economic growth.”

According to the new measure, the director of the Office of Cannabis Policy will “advance policies that promote the health and welfare of the people of the state and protect their health and safety, emphasizing the health and welfare of minors as a priority consideration in the performance of all duties.”

They should also “ensure that eligible patients maintain access to high-quality, effective, and affordable medical cannabis under this Act.”

Under the proposal, the Department of Administrative and Financial Services would create a testing program for cannabis products that would require dispensaries and dispensaries to send those products to a licensed facility for safety evaluation before dispensing them to qualified patients.

The testing facility “should ensure that cannabis or cannabis products do not exceed acceptable levels of contamination for any contaminants that are harmful to health and require testing and ensure proper labeling.”

“The department shall adopt rules establishing a testing program under this section, rules identifying the types of pollutants harmful to health, which must be tested for cannabis and cannabis products under this chapter, and rules regarding the maximum level of contamination for each pollutant,” the vote said. the initiative the text says

Additionally, regulators should administer a system to track cannabis plants from seed to the point of retail sale or disposal. That system “should be able to track cannabis plants in groups during the cultivation phase and when passing from the cultivation phase to another registrar”.

Entrepreneurs must submit at least 67,682 valid voter signatures by February 2, 2026 to be eligible for next year’s ballot. If approved by voters, the initiative would take effect on January 1, 2028.

—
It’s Marijuana Moment 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
—

Maine lawmakers passed a bill in June legalize possession of an ounce of psilocybin Adults over 21 years of age.

After a different effort in the state last year legalize psilocybin and allow adults to access the psychedelic in state-licensed facilities. But lawmakers watered down that bill—instead, they changed it to create a committee to study further reforms—and in the end it was not approved.

Meanwhile, Maine legislators in February A top marijuana official voted to investigate possible conflicts of interest.

And last year, the law that allowed people came into force now apply for legal marijuana crime records to be sealed.

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.

Become a patron on Patreon!

Continue Reading

Cannabis News

By concentrating our portfolio, we create room for innovation and growth

Published

2 days ago

on

December 8, 2025

By






Viscon transfers the range fork product portfolio to Flier






Viscon Plant Technology will transfer its spacer fork product portfolio (including spacer forks and fixed forks) to Flier Systems effective January 1, 2026.

“The furrows are a proven solution for spacing within the sector. By transferring this portfolio to Flier Systems, the technology will remain available to both existing and new customers, with continued quality and support. Flier Systems will take over development, sales and technical service, while Viscon Plant Technology focuses on its core activities,” the team says.

© Viscon

“The transfer of the fields is a deliberate strategic step to strengthen our focus on automation solutions for plant growers and young breeders. In addition to concentrating our portfolio on technologies such as tissue culture automation, phenotypic sorting and somatic embryogenesis automation, we create room for further innovation and growth. We are pleased to have found a reliable and dedicated partner in Flier Systems,” said Nigela, who will continue the same product portfolio. Viscon Plant Technology.

“Acquiring spacer forks fits perfectly into our strategy to automate the entire production process for professional plant growers. Having just introduced the upgraded SPH transplanter/sorter, we have already taken an important step in the automation of potted plants. Acquiring spacer forks is a logical addition as it allows us to offer a complete and integrated package. Viscon,” said Ad Kranendonk, Flier Systems.



Publication date:













Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright © 2021 The Art of MaryJane Media