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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has finalized a rule barring companies that earn income from marijuana operations from participating in certain government loan programs. The rule makes clear that entities leasing space to or partnering with marijuana businesses are ineligible, since marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. Despite public comments opposing the restriction, the USDA said no changes will be made. The rule’s future could be affected if the attorney general follows through on President Trump’s executive order to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III.
While enforcing this restriction, the USDA continues to support the hemp industry, legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, including by appointing industry stakeholders to a federal trade advisory committee. The department also faces uncertainty over a new federal ban on most consumable hemp products, the market’s most profitable segment. Meanwhile, Trump’s executive actions aim to ensure patient access to full-spectrum CBD and set the stage for marijuana rescheduling, highlighting the ongoing tension between federal law and evolving state policies. Read the full story.
Referenced article written by . Published on January 1, 2026 by Marijuana Moment.
