U.S. Moves Forward With Intoxicating Hemp Product Ban
The United States is moving closer to banning intoxicating hemp-derived products, and the 2026 Farm Bill will not delay the planned ban scheduled for November 2026.
On March 5, 2026, the U.S. House Agriculture Committee approved the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. One key change in the bill is a new definition of hemp, which will include total THC (THC + THCA) under 0.3%, closing the loophole from the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed many intoxicating hemp products to enter the market.
Separately, the federal government is planning to ban hemp products that contain more than 0.4 mg of THC, as well as products made with synthetic cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC or compounds such as HHC.
Some lawmakers had proposed delaying the ban by two years to give farmers time to adjust, but that proposal was withdrawn, meaning the November 2026 timeline remains unchanged for now.
The Farm Bill mainly focuses on hemp cultivation, while regulation of hemp-derived products is expected to fall under agencies such as the FDA.
The bill also includes measures to support hemp farmers, including more testing labs, reduced testing requirements for industrial hemp, and greater flexibility for states.
The legislation will continue moving through the U.S. legislative process as the hemp industry awaits clearer national regulations.
Reference
