Senators Urge Regulation of Hemp Products to Ensure Consumer Safety

Strategic Insights -

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with seven of their colleagues, have written to Senate leadership to express strong opposition to any language in a government spending bill that would re-criminalize hemp products. This comes after the FDA's inaction for five years, leading to the proliferation of unregulated hemp products. The senators suggest considering legislation to establish a hemp-derived cannabinoid product framework that includes age restrictions, standardized packaging and labeling, prohibition of synthetic or artificially derived products, and independent third-party laboratory tests for consumable hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

Key Takeaways:

  • The senators oppose any language in a government spending bill that would decimate the American agricultural hemp industry and imperil states' ability to prevent unsafe hemp-derived cannabinoid products from getting into the hands of children.
  • The senators suggest considering legislation to establish a hemp-derived cannabinoid product framework that includes:

+ Age restrictions: restricts the sale and possession of hemp products to adults over age 21.

+ Standardized packaging and labeling: standardizes packaging and labeling to eliminate "look-a-like" snack products that are appealing to children while allowing adult-only consumers to make informed choices.

+ Prohibition of synthetic or artificially derived products: prohibits synthetic or artificially derived products.

+ Independent third-party laboratory tests: requires independent third-party laboratory tests for consumable hemp-derived cannabinoid products to ensure safety.

  • The letter was signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

Statistics:

  • 8 senators signed the letter urging regulation of hemp products to ensure consumer safety.
  • 5 years: the amount of time the FDA failed to act on regulating hemp-derived products.
  • 2018: the year Wyden and Merkley worked closely with then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Rand Paul to secure language in the Farm Bill to legalize hemp products at the federal level.

Sources:

  • United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
  • September 16, 2025
  • Letter to Senate leadership calling for regulation of hemp products to ensure consumer safety (text available here)
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