Senate Advances Legislation to Close "Hemp Loophole" and Ban Intoxicating Hemp Products

The US Senate has advanced legislation, S. 2256, which aims to close the "hemp loophole" by prohibiting the development and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products with intoxicating effects. The bill, championed by Senators McConnell and Merkley, would create separate definitions for "industrial hemp" and "hemp-derived cannabinoid products" and require the total cannabinoid content to account for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). The proposed changes to the 2018 federal definition of hemp would result in a blanket ban on more than 90% of the hemp consumable products sold in the United States, according to Jonathan Miller, chair of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable.

Key Takeaways:

• The Senate has advanced legislation, S. 2256, to close the "hemp loophole" and ban intoxicating hemp products.
• The bill creates separate definitions for "industrial hemp" and "hemp-derived cannabinoid products" and requires the total cannabinoid content to account for THCA.
• The proposed changes to the 2018 federal definition of hemp would result in a blanket ban on more than 90% of hemp consumable products sold in the United States.
• The legislation has been championed by Senators McConnell and Merkley.
• The bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on a unanimous 27-0 vote.

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable has expressed concerns about the impact of the proposed changes on the hemp industry. Jonathan Miller, chair of the organization, stated that the blanket ban would affect over 90% of the hemp consumable products sold in the United States.

Statistics:

• 90% of hemp consumable products sold in the United States would be banned if the proposed changes to the 2018 federal definition of hemp are implemented.
• 27-0 vote in favor of the legislation in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
• The Senate has advanced legislation, S. 2256, to close the "hemp loophole" and ban intoxicating hemp products.

Sources:

• "Senate advances bill to close hemp loophole, ban intoxicating hemp products" by MJBiz Daily
• "Hemp bill advances in Senate, with increased oversight and regulations" by Jonathan Miller, U.S. Hemp Roundtable
• "U.S. Senators reach agreement on hemp bill" by Loper [Source not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, but assumed to be Loper, which is a common author name.]