WHAT HAPPENED?
On May 22, 2024, Rep. Mary Miller of Illinois introduced an amendment to the Federal Farm Bill that redefines “hemp” to include strict THC regulations—so strict, in fact, that essentially all hemp products would be banned, both industrial and consumable.

On May 23, 2024, the amendment was grouped into a list of other amendments heard by the US House Agriculture Committee, instead of being heard on its own. Despite overwhelming efforts from hemp consumers, lobbyists, Political Action Committees, and industry leaders, the amendment was passed in a voice vote, thus being added to the current draft of the Farm Bill.

WHAT THIS MEANS:
In effect, all hemp products would be outlawed if this amendment is kept in the Farm Bill. This means that any edibles, tinctures, vapes, and flower will no longer meet the regulations laid out in the amendment and will be illegal. In addition to consumable products, industrial products made from hemp will also likely cease to be produced. Oil, seeds, fibers, ropes, etc., will not be able to be produced from hemp plants if the plants contain any amount (greater than 0.00%) of THC or THCA. 

Businesses will close, consumers will no longer be able to purchase products they love and, in many cases, rely on, and farmers will lose out on millions of dollars spent on equipment, genetics, and agricultural profit if this amendment makes it to the final draft of the Farm Bill.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
It is imperative that our congressmen and congresswomen hear from us as a community expressing our disagreement with this amendment. They need to know how deeply this amendment will affect hemp consumers, farmers, and businesses, and how it will cut millions of dollars out of the economy.