{"id":82990,"date":"2025-08-26T07:32:48","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T15:32:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2025\/08\/26\/gop-congressman-circulates-draft-bill-to-regulate-hemp-products-as-colleagues-pursue-thc-ban\/"},"modified":"2025-08-27T19:54:48","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T03:54:48","slug":"gop-congressman-circulates-draft-bill-to-regulate-hemp-products-as-colleagues-pursue-thc-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2025\/08\/26\/gop-congressman-circulates-draft-bill-to-regulate-hemp-products-as-colleagues-pursue-thc-ban\/","title":{"rendered":"GOP Congressman Circulates Draft Bill To Regulate Hemp Products As Colleagues Pursue THC Ban"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank-33.jpg\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1500\"> <\/p>\n<p>A Republican congressman is circulating a draft bill to regulate consumable hemp products\u2014offering a potential alternative to the outright THC ban that some of his colleagues are pushing.<\/p>\n<p>The draft legislation from Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) would affirmatively allow the sale of consumable hemp products to adults 21 and older. That includes edibles, beverages and inhalable items.<\/p>\n<p>There would be various regulatory restrictions for the market, according to a summary from the Hemp Beverage Alliance, which is collecting stakeholder feedback on the proposal.<\/p>\n<p>For example, packaging couldn\u2019t appeal to youth and would need to be tamper-proof. It would also need to list all cannabinoids present and include QR code linking to a certificate of analysis.<\/p>\n<p>Hemp product makers would be prohibited from adding substances like\u00a0alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, nicotine, melatonin or others \u201cwith effects that could interact with cannabinoids or enhance or alter their effects.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There would also be manufacturing and testing requirements, and hemp businesses would need to register their facilities.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, there are provisions mandating the establishment of a total cannabinoid cap on hemp products. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be charged with proposing cannabinoid limits within 60 days of enactment.<\/p>\n<p>If those rules aren\u2019t implemented within three years of enactment, these default thresholds would be set:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Oral hemp products with non-intoxicating cannabinoids:<\/strong> Up to 10mg\/serving and 50mg\/package.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inhalable products:<\/strong> Up to 100mg\/serving and 500mg\/package.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Topical products:<\/strong> Up to 100mg\/serving and 500mg\/package.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Intoxicating cannabinoid products (e.g. items containing THC):<\/strong> Up to 0.2mg\/serving and 1mg\/package.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>That limit on intoxicating cannabinoids is likely to get industry pushback, as previewed by Adam Terry, CEO of the hemp beverage company Cantrip, who said the THC cap is \u201ccurrently set low enough to be an effective ban.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"embed-twitter\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Michelle Bodian has essentially posted the bill.<\/p>\n<p>This bill as is, is very good. The only thing it needs amending is a substantial lift to the permitted amount of d9-THC, currently set low enough to be an effective ban. But lifting that, and contemplating large format, this would\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Weed Drinks Guy (@cantripguy) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantripguy\/status\/1960079008999109103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">August 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p \/><\/div>\n<p>He added, however, that he is \u201cvery encouraged to see a Republican House Member, particularly a Freedom Caucus member, post a regulatory bill for hemp, even if it\u2019s not exactly what I want today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Under the draft bill, HHS would also be tasked with creating and maintaining a list of known cannabinoids, which would have to be published within one year of enactment.<\/p>\n<p>The measure would also amend the Food Drug &amp; Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to create a new chapter for cannabinoid hemp products, and a new Cannabinoid Hemp Products Advisory Committee would be established.<\/p>\n<p>The Hemp Beverage Alliance <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hempbeveragealliance.org\/news\/rep-morgan-griffith-releases-draft-hemp-bill\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">said<\/a> Griffith\u2019s office is \u201cstill gathering input and feedback,\u201d and the organization will be \u201cgathering and compiling comments over the next several weeks\u201d to help inform a final version.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are thrilled to see positive regulatory language coming out of DC and forward to continuing to work with Rep. Griffith\u2019s office to further develop this legislation,\u201d the alliance said.<\/p>\n<p \/>\n<p>Marijuana Moment reached out to Griffith\u2019s office for comment, but a representative was not immediately available.<\/p>\n<p>While the proposed intoxicating cannabinoid limit is expected to be one of the more hotly contested provisions, the bill itself represents a welcome alternative for the industry to legislation that has advanced in the House to ban all consumable hemp products containing any \u201cquantifiable\u201d amount of THC. Stakeholders say that would effectively wipe out the market that has evolved since hemp was federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill.<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said earlier this month that he has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/rand-paul-is-working-to-reach-a-compromise-on-hemp-thc-product-laws-with-mcconnell-and-house-lawmakers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">plans to meet with House lawmakers to \u201creach a compromise\u201d<\/a> on an approach to regulate hemp in light of his opposition to the THC ban proposal.<\/p>\n<p>While Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has contested the idea that legislation he sponsored in his chamber would \u201ccompletely destroy\u201d the market, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/rand-paul-says-gop-congressmans-hemp-ban-bill-would-completely-destroy-the-industry\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">as Paul and industry stakeholders have insisted<\/a>, he ultimately agreed to pull the language from the agriculture bill following a procedural protest from Paul. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/senate-votes-to-let-va-doctors-recommend-medical-marijuana-to-military-veterans-while-setting-aside-hemp-thc-ban\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Senate passed the underlying legislation this month<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Paul recently filed a standalone bill that would go in the opposite direction of the hemp ban,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/rand-paul-files-bill-to-triple-federal-thc-limit-for-hemp-as-house-pursues-crackdown-on-consumable-cannabinoids\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">proposing to triple the concentration of THC that the crop could legally contain<\/a>, while addressing multiple other concerns the industry has expressed about federal regulations.<\/p>\n<p>The senator introduced the legislation, titled the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act, in June. It\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/gop-senator-files-bill-to-triple-thc-cap-for-hemp-as-lawmakers-weigh-competing-cannabis-regulatory-proposals\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">mirrors versions he\u2019s sponsored over the last several sessions<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014<br \/>\nMarijuana Moment is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills<\/a> in state legislatures and Congress this year. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Patreon supporters<\/a> pledging at least $25\/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don\u2019t miss any developments.<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9128 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/MM_Bill_Tracker_V5_blank-32.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Learn more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/bills\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marijuana bill tracker<\/a> and become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/marijuanamoment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">supporter on Patreon<\/a> to get access.<br \/>\n\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Hemp industry stakeholders have rallied against the hemp THC ban legislation, an earlier version of which was also included in the base bill from the subcommittee last year. It\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/house-committee-approves-farm-bill-amendment-to-ban-most-hemp-derived-cannabinoid-products-like-delta-8-thc\/\" rel=\"noopener\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\">virtually identical to a provision of the 2024 Farm Bill that was attached by a separate committee<\/a>\u00a0last May via an amendment from Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), which was also not enacted into law.<\/p>\n<p>A leading alcohol industry association, meanwhile, has called on Congress to dial back language in the House spending bill that would ban most consumable hemp products, instead\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/major-alcohol-industry-group-pushes-congress-to-dial-back-proposed-hemp-product-ban\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">proposing to maintain the legalization of naturally derived cannabinoids<\/a>\u00a0from the crop and only prohibit synthetic items.<\/p>\n<p>Wine &amp; Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) President and CEO Francis Creighton said in a press release that \u201cproponents and opponents alike have agreed that this language amounts to a ban.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Separately, key GOP congressional lawmakers\u2014including one member who supports marijuana legalization\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/key-gop-congressmen-including-pro-marijuana-legalization-member-defend-effort-to-ban-consumable-hemp-products\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">don\u2019t seem especially concerned about provisions in the bill<\/a>\u00a0despite concern from stakeholders that it would\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/congressional-committee-approves-bill-to-ban-all-hemp-products-with-thc\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">put much of the hemp industry in jeopardy by banning most consumable products<\/a>\u00a0derived from the plant.<\/p>\n<p>Jonathan Miller, general counsel at the U.S. Hemp Roundtable,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/watch-live-hemp-industry-expert-testifies-before-congressional-committee-on-fda-inaction-around-cbd-and-intoxicating-cannabinoid-products\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">told congressional lawmakers in April that the market is \u201cbegging\u201d for federal regulations<\/a>\u00a0around cannabis products.<\/p>\n<p>At the hearing, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) also inquired about FDA inaction around regulations, sarcastically asking if it\u2019d require \u201ca gazillion bureaucrats that work from home\u201d to regulate cannabinoids such as CBD.<\/p>\n<p>A report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) last year\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/marijuana-legalization-is-a-significant-threat-to-alcohol-industry-because-people-substitute-cannabis-for-beer-and-wine-analysis-finds\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">called cannabis a \u201csignificant threat\u201d to the alcohol industry<\/a>, citing survey data that suggests more people are using cannabis as a substitute for alcoholic beverages such a beer and wine.<\/p>\n<p>Last November, meanwhile, a beer industry trade group\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/beer-industry-group-pushes-tighter-regulations-for-cannabis-products-and-higher-taxes-than-are-levied-on-alcohol\/\" data-google-interstitial=\"false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">put out a statement of guiding principles to address what it called \u201cthe proliferation of largely unregulated intoxicating hemp and cannabis products,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0warning of risks to consumers and communities resulting from THC consumption.<\/p>\n<p>Separately, a Democratic senator recently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/senator-secures-half-a-million-dollars-for-research-on-hemp-calling-it-one-of-the-oldest-and-most-versatile-crops-in-agriculture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">touted the inclusion of hemp research provisions she secured<\/a> as part of the Senate-passed agriculture spending bill, calling the cannabis plant \u201cone of the oldest and most versatile crops in agriculture.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.documentcloud.org\/documents\/26074857-griffith-hemp-bill-draft\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">text<\/a> of Griffith\u2019s discussion draft hemp bill below:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p \/>\n<p><em>Photo courtesy of Brendan Cleak.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/gop-congressman-circulates-draft-bill-to-regulate-hemp-products-as-colleagues-pursue-thc-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">GOP Congressman Circulates Draft Bill To Regulate Hemp Products As Colleagues Pursue THC Ban<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Marijuana Moment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#013;<br \/>\n&#013;<br \/>\nRead More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marijuanamoment.net\/gop-congressman-circulates-draft-bill-to-regulate-hemp-products-as-colleagues-pursue-thc-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">GOP Congressman Circulates Draft Bill To Regulate Hemp Products As Colleagues Pursue THC Ban<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Republican congressman is circulating a draft bill to regulate consumable hemp products\u2014offering a potential alternative to the outright THC ban that some of his colleagues are pushing. The draft legislation from Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) would affirmatively allow the sale of consumable hemp products to adults 21 and older.<span class=\"more-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/2025\/08\/26\/gop-congressman-circulates-draft-bill-to-regulate-hemp-products-as-colleagues-pursue-thc-ban\/\">Continue Reading<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":458,"featured_media":82991,"comment_status":"false","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[18,81],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82990"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/458"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82990"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82990\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82992,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82990\/revisions\/82992"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82991"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82990"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82990"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannabiscultivatornews.com\/home\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82990"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}