Congress has passed legislation delaying a ban on popular hemp-derived cannabinoid products, preventing the prohibition from taking effect next month. The House of Representatives approved the delay Tuesday as part of a larger government funding bill aimed at averting a federal shutdown.
The Senate had passed the bill in August, and it now proceeds to the president's desk. Lawmakers initially put the ban in place last year following warnings from law enforcement officials about children accessing unregulated products. The delay pushes the effective date of the ban to December 11.
The White House, at the urging of Republicans, supported the delay. President Donald Trump has previously voiced support for the usefulness of medical marijuana for seniors and veterans managing chronic pain, and in April he called for delaying the ban to ensure continued consumer access to full-spectrum CBD products.
White House spokesman Kush Desai stated that the administration's position on hemp is guided by the best interest of the American people and that the administration is exploring a framework for hemp to expand treatment options for veterans and patients. He addressed concerns about potential conflicts of interest, stating the administration's decisions are not influenced by family members involved in the industry.
Some Republican lawmakers expressed opposition to the delay. Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) criticized the decision, arguing it allows potentially harmful products to remain available to children. He attributed the industry's influence to financial interests.
The hemp industry has seen significant growth since the 2018 legislation that legalized hemp. Entrepreneurs developed a range of intoxicating hemp-derived products, a development that many lawmakers did not anticipate. According to the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, the hemp-derived THC market is now valued at $28 billion and supports over 328,000 jobs.
Industry representatives see the delay as an opportunity for lawmakers to establish a more favorable regulatory framework. Chris Lackner, president of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, indicated that the industry supports rules to prevent problematic sales practices, such as marketing THC products in ways that appeal to children. He expressed hope that the additional month will allow for the development of regulations that protect public health while permitting the hemp beverage category to continue to grow.