This content is protected against AI scraping.
The hemp and alcohol industries are currently scrambling to stop a fast-approaching federal ban that threatens to wipe out the booming market for hemp-derived THC drinks. While the 2018 Farm Bill opened the door for these products, new legislation signed by President Trump is set to effectively recriminalize them this November. Industry heavyweights, including former Congressman David Trone and major beverage distributors, are sounding the alarm, arguing that prohibition will only fuel an underground economy. They are instead pushing for a “three-tier” regulatory system—similar to how alcohol is sold—to ensure safety and transparency.
The clock is ticking for stakeholders who are desperate to secure a legislative delay or a regulatory middle ground before the summer recess. Currently, the new law would impose strict limits on THC content and ban synthetic cannabinoids, a move that critics say ignores consumer demand and creates a massive headache for retailers. While some GOP lawmakers have attempted to stall the ban to allow for more deliberation, they face an uphill battle against leadership that views the current hemp THC market as an unintended loophole that needs to be closed. Read the full story.
Referenced article written by . Published on March 2, 2026 by Marijuana Moment.
