A GOP congressman and Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner are pleading with a key Republican senator who initially helped lead the push to legalize hemp before approving the recriminalization of THC products to back a proposed two-year delay. industry players to implement a policy that would revolutionize the market.

As prohibitionists mount a lobbying campaign for the recriminalization of most hemp-derived cannabinoid products, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell are urging Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to join them in the fight to give hemp companies more time to navigate the critical policy change that takes effect in November.

“Kentucky has long been a national leader in hemp research, production and innovation — leadership made possible in large part by your historic efforts to legalize industrial hemp at the federal level,” Comer — who also previously served as Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner — and Shell said in a letter to McConnell on Thursday. “Because of that leadership, Kentucky farmers invested responsibly in this emerging crop, built infrastructure, created jobs and contributed to rural economic development across the Commonwealth.”

But that progress is being jeopardized by appropriations legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump last year, with provisions that would redefine what constitutes legal hemp by imposing tough restrictions on THC content that would eliminate the edible cannabinoid product.

“The provision (continuing resolution) received in November has introduced a great deal of uncertainty into the market at a critical time,” the congressman and commissioner wrote. “Hemp is an annual crop, and farmers are now making decisions about seed, labor contracts, financing and the next growing season. Without additional time and clarity, many Kentucky growers risk making planting decisions that could jeopardize the long-term viability of their farms.”

Both urged McConnell to throw his support behind an independent bill sponsored by Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) and 24 bipartisan co-sponsors. give the hemp industry two more years before the federal ban on THC products goes into effectin the hope that it will better position stakeholders to negotiate a broader compromise with parliamentarians.

Baird’s bill “will not resolve the broader policy questions surrounding hemp, but it would give farmers, processors and regulators the certainty needed to plan responsibly while Congress considers a sustainable and well-informed way forward,” Comer and Shell wrote. “This additional time is essential to avoid unintended consequences for family farms and rural communities that have acted in good faith under existing federal and state law.”

“We respectfully ask that you allow time for this extension to move forward and help ensure that Kentucky farmers are not put at a disadvantage through abrupt policy changes,” they said. “Doing so would reaffirm Kentucky’s leadership in agriculture and honor its commitment to growers who have answered the call to grow this crop.”

It is not yet clear whether McConnell will follow through on the officials’ request. Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill in his first term while championing the legalization of hemp, The former Senate Majority Leader has advocated for clearing the hemp THC market that he has described as an unintended consequence of wider agricultural legislation.

However, the hemp industry is fueled by proactive advocacy by Kentucky officials.

“This letter adds two important and influential voices to the growing chorus of Kentucky agriculture leaders calling on Senator McConnell to reconsider his efforts to destroy hemp as a viable crop for Kentucky farmers,” said Jim Higdon, co-founder and communications director of the Kentucky-based Cornbread Mompment. “By establishing a two-year extension, stakeholders can work with Congress to find meaningful solutions to Senator McConnell’s legitimate concerns without destroying the entire industry.”

Meanwhile, anti-cannabis interests are calling on their supporters to keep up the pressure on Congress to maintain the THC ban without delay.

“Congress took an important step to protect youth when it enacted new restrictions on intoxicating cannabis products last year, but it’s critical to implement these new rules without delay,” the Partnership to End Addiction (formerly the Association for a Drug-Free America) said in a recent action alert.

“Some members of the industry and Congress are pushing to delay the implementation of this law, claiming that more time is needed to develop regulations,” the group said, and that “an extension of the implementation deadline could be included as Congress works to reauthorize the Farm Bill.”

To that end, the House Agriculture Committee will mark up the final Farm Bill in a hearing on Monday.

“But the one-year implementation period is reasonable, giving manufacturers and retailers time to adapt and regulators to prepare for enforcement,” the Partnership said. he said. “A delay would further entrench the market and allow the continued availability of dangerous products, leading to further exposure of young people and negative health consequences.”

“Send a letter asking your members of Congress to oppose efforts to delay the implementation of the new definition of hemp and to keep the law’s effective date to minimize the harm these intoxicating products can cause, especially to young people,” he said, offering a form to send a pre-written letter to congressional representatives.

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Meanwhile, last month, major alcohol retailers joined forces to push Congress to delay the enactment of the law signed by Trump which will re-criminalize THC drinks and other products derived from hemp.

The coalition says it wants to apply the same regulatory structure that governs alcoholic beverages, distributors and retailers to hemp beverages to “ensure safe and transparent access.”

Other alcohol industry groups such as The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America has also supported the regulation of hemp products instead of banning

read it the letter Comer and Shell discuss delaying the federal hemp THC ban below: