Trump Delays Federal Ban on Hemp-Derived THC Products
President Donald Trump delayed a federal ban on hemp-derived THC products to December 11, 2026, after Congress voted to close a 2018 Farm Bill loophole.
The United States government is implementing a federal ban on hemp-derived THC products, targeting a market valued at approximately $28 billion. The regulation closes a legal loophole from the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed the sale of intoxicating gummies and seltzers by defining hemp as cannabis with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC.
Senator Mitch McConnell drove the effort to close the loophole by introducing a ban that limits THC to 0.4 milligrams per container. President Donald Trump subsequently signed a short-term funding bill that delayed the ban's effective date from November 12 to December 11, 2026. This delay provides Congress additional time to evaluate whether to implement specific regulations instead of a total ban.
Industry advocates and the research firm Whitney Economics warn the move could displace 225,000 jobs and eliminate $28.3 billion in retail revenues. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable argues the strict milligram cap would inadvertently ban non-impairing CBD products. While alcohol retailers like Total Wine & More support the industry to offset falling alcohol sales, public health advocates and the regulated legal marijuana industry support the ban, citing safety concerns and unfair competition.
