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The $28 billion U.S. hemp industry is facing a massive existential crisis with a federal ban looming this November, but a new bipartisan bill might offer a major lifeline. Sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr and Rep. Angie Craig, the Lawful Hemp Protection Act would establish a national regulatory framework instead of shutting down the market completely. The bill proposes raising the legal THC limit for hemp to 1% by dry weight, restricting sales to adults 21 and older, requiring domestic U.S. production, and banning misleading packaging that mimics everyday snacks.
To keep things legitimate, the proposal tasks the FDA with setting clear potency limits and hits products with new federal taxes—specifically 5 cents per milligram of THC on beverages and a 5% retail tax on other consumables. While the bill has backed support from hemp farmers and major alcohol retailers like Total Wine & Spirits, it’s reigniting a messy feud with state-regulated cannabis lobbyists. Regulated weed groups are actively pushing back, claiming the measure opens up loopholes for knock-off products, setting up a high-stakes battle in Congress as that November deadline inches closer.
This is a summary.
Please read the original article: Bipartisan Effort to Save (and Tax) Hemp THC Products Introduced in Congress
Original article written by MJBiz Daily Staff. Published on July 22, 2026 by MJBiz Daily.
