Hemp Industry Warns Against Harsh Farm Bill THC Rules

By Blake Jackson

Seven years after championing the legalization of hemp, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is now pushing for changes to the 2018 Farm Bill to address what he calls an “unintended consequence” a move critics warn could severely harm the hemp industry.

The Senate Appropriations Committee recently advanced an agriculture spending bill containing McConnell’s provision aimed at closing a loophole that allowed the sale of hemp-derived products with “quantifiable” levels of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis.

A similar measure had already passed in the House. However, the Senate version includes a one-year delay in implementing the new definition, giving the industry more time to propose regulatory alternatives.

McConnell explained, “The new bill takes us back to the original intent of the 2018 farm bill and closes this loophole,” preventing the sale of “unregulated intoxicating lab-made, hemp-derived substances with no safety framework.”

Supporters argue the change is needed to curb the rise of intoxicating synthetic THC products. However, industry leaders fear the change could ban even non-intoxicating CBD products, impacting farmers and businesses.

“I don’t know how you’d be able to sell CBD oil with that,” said Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), a long-time advocate for hemp, who previously proposed the HEMP Act to raise the THC threshold in hemp crops.

Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) appreciated the one-year delay but warned, “there are other products that come from hemp, such as CBD, that has, in fact, been a significant factor as a health care supplement in many, many products across America that does not have a hallucinogenic effect.”

A spokesperson for McConnell claimed the bill would still allow CBD products, as they “do not contain THC.” But hemp advocates argue even trace THC levels in CBD could lead to bans. The Kentucky Hemp Association and leaders like Jim Higdon of Cornbread Hemp voiced concern, saying, “We can solve this problem without banning all hemp products.”

Higdon added, “With good regulations, we can protect consumers, prevent underage access, and preserve the future for American farmers.”

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