Federal Ban on Intoxicating Hemp THC Takes Effect December 11
The United States Congress will implement a federal ban on most intoxicating hemp THC products on December 11, threatening numerous small businesses nationwide.
A federal ban on most intoxicating hemp THC products will take effect on December 11, 2026, removing these items from store shelves across the United States. The United States Congress approved the measure in 2025 as part of a government reopening deal to close a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill. The legislation followed a push by more than 30 bipartisan attorneys general, including Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who argued the industry was underregulated and threatened public health.
Senator Mitch McConnell championed the ban, citing the marketing of intoxicating substances to children. The new regulation limits THC to 0.4 milligrams per container, a cap that business owners warn will devastate their inventory. In Albany, Georgia, the CEO of Good Life Vapor estimates the cap could remove 50% of his products and cost his business approximately $600,000 annually.
Industry leaders in New Orleans are lobbying Congress for a last-second reprieve to prevent further closures. Joe Gerrity, CEO of Crescent Canna, has already laid off half of his staff due to declining demand. Other businesses, such as Port Orleans Brewing Co., report that hemp THC products account for 20% to 40% of their revenue. While some topicals will remain available, other product categories face near-total elimination.
