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Top Veterans Group Warns Congress That Hemp Ban Could ‘Slam The Door Shut’ On Medical Research

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4 weeks ago

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A leading veterans’ organization has warned congressional leaders that a newly approved blanket ban on consumable hemp products could inadvertently “close the door” on critical research.

In a letter to House and Senate leaders on Wednesday, American Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) executives stressed the importance of “supporting robust scientific research into hemp-derived cannabinoids,” which they said could be at risk. President Donald Trump has signed provisions of a spending bill into law.

Hemp-based cannabinoid products “can offer a real alternative to heavy prescription drugs, so many of our veterans prescribe them for PTSD, anxiety, pain and sleep problems,” wrote the VFW’s Carol Whitmore and Dan West.

“Every day, doctors dispense powerful sedatives and psychoactive drugs to help veterans cope. They work for some, but they’re too hooked, numb, or dealing with brutal side effects,” they wrote. “We’ve all seen good men and women get caught in a cycle of pills that dull the pain but don’t fix the problem.”

“It’s time to explore safer options. Early research on certain hemp compounds suggests they can manage symptoms and reduce physical pain without the risk of addiction,” the letter says, citing recent research showing that hemp-derived cannabinoids improve PTSD symptoms and may be an effective alternative treatment for pain and anxiety.

“This is not evidence of a miracle cure, just clear signs that we should continue to study. But broad movements to ‘close the hemp loophole’ could close the door. A blanket ban on hemp cannabinoids would make it nearly impossible for researchers and (US Department of Veterans Affairs) hospitals to examine the rules by which even small businesses that have legally acquired these compounds are acting legally. Seriously, it would drive veterans seeking relief into black market junk, making things more dangerous. making it not safer.”

The VFW said it is not promoting “wild, unregulated products or recreational use,” but instead “is calling for smart policy: protect the public, but don’t kill research.”

“Let science do its job, regulate what’s proven safe, and give veterans every legitimate tool available to reclaim their lives,” the letter says. “Our veterans have earned the best care we can give them. We urge Congress to take a balanced approach that protects consumers, promotes research, and gives veterans hope for safer alternatives.”

In the last month, The VFW announced that it has entered into a first-of-its-kind partnership with hemp THC beverage company Torch Drinkswith a licensed branding agreement to support various veterans services and promote cannabis beverages as a potential alternative to alcohol. In addition to the brand licensing agreement, the cannabis beverages will be available at VFW posts across the country in jurisdictions where they are locally legal.

Debate over the current appropriations bill’s hemp ban has been fueled by some who believe recriminalizing cannabis products will alleviate public health concerns, particularly regarding youth access to unregulated markets, and others who insist Congress should address the challenges by enacting regulations, including age requirements and testing requirements.

Many hemp participants argue that a ban would effectively wipe out the industry, even if enforced Non-toxic CBD products that people use for medical reasons— There is a hidden hope that they can reach an agreement with the legislators before the ban is implemented next year.

Lawmakers like Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) also say the window could allow them to advance legislation to create an alternative regulatory model for consumer hemp products.

There were Attempts by GOP lawmakers in both chambers to kill the hemp ban provision. But amendments proposed by Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Thomas Massie (R-KY) were not included in the final package.

On the Senate side, Paul was joined by 22 Democrats, and especially Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) anti-marijuana: voting against the motion to introduce the amendment to avoid the ban, but was eventually overturned by the majority.

Massie tried to revive momentum in the House with an amendment mirroring Paul’s, but its chances of passage were dubious at best, as there was general agreement within the Republican caucus that the spending bill could return to the Senate without further changes.

—
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.

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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 home use” as well as products containing cannabinoids that are synthesized or manufactured outside of the cannabis plant or 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.

Meanwhile, advocates are strongly criticizing congressional leaders for advancing a spending bill ahead of Veterans Day on Tuesday, which also omits bipartisan provisions. Allowing the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prescribe medical cannabis to doctors to patients in states where it is legal—although the policy was approved by the full Senate and House earlier this year.

Read about the VFWs the letter To Congress on the hemp ban below:

Brendan Cleak’s photo.

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

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19 hours ago

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December 9, 2025

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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…

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

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19 hours ago

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December 9, 2025

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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.

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

Published

2 days ago

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December 8, 2025

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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.



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