Industry Players Weigh In On Farm Bill Draft Restricting Hemp THC

A new draft of the 2025 Farm Bill has been published, revealing new regulations and restrictions on the hemp-derived THC category. The bill, released by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow, would cap total THC at 0.3% for any hemp-derived product, while also broadening the definition of THC to include forms like delta-8, delta-10,and THCA. The new bill closes a loophole from the previous farm bill, which more strictly defined THC as delta-9 THC.

Within the industry, there’s support for sensible regulations, with operators noting that there will be ample time to shape any final bill. “Despite a lack of federal oversight on hemp-derived THC products since the 2018 Farm Bill, we have seen states like Minnesota create responsible regulatory frameworks that are fair to both businesses and consumers,” Angus Rittenburg, CEO of Pennsylvania-based Wherehouse Beverage Co., maker of Wynk, told SND. “We look forward to federal regulation of hemp-derived products because it will give the suppliers, distributors, retailers, state regulators, and consumers the guidance necessary to safely grow this category.”

“We also support defining reasonable dosage limits (under 10mg THC/container) for hemp-derived products sold outside of dispensaries to ensure uneducated consumers do not accidentally overconsume,” Rittenburg continued. “We support third-party full-panel testing requirements to ensure that new suppliers in this nascent category are doing right by consumers, with full transparency.”

From a practical standpoint, the proposed Farm Bill is unlikely to pass during Biden’s lame duck period, noted Brooke Raap, COO at Upstate Elevator Supply Company. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently extended the deadline to December 31, 2025 for hemp to undergo testing at Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) licensed laboratories—another strong indicator that the Farm Bill will not pass this year,” she told SND. “Many states have begun regulating popular hemp-derived, low-dose intoxicating products, even though federal law remains unchanged. State-level regulation is the sensible approach to ensure products are safely sold to consumers over the age of 21.”

“A hemp-friendly Farm Bill will be important not just for our industry but also for American farmers. We hope Congress will agree on legislation that protects or enhances the definition of hemp,” said Christopher Lackner, who leads the Hemp Beverage Alliance. “In addition to the Farm Bill, there also will be a lot of work going on at the state level in 2025,” he told SND. “The Hemp Beverage Alliance will be working in a lot of those states to encourage commonsense legislation that protects children, creates tax revenues, creates opportunities for the bev-alc industry and allows the hemp beverage space to thrive.”

The news comes amid wider scrutiny for the hemp-derived THC market, with numerous states enacting or considering restrictions or bans. In October, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden introduced the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act, a new bill aimed at regulating, instead of banning, hemp-derived THC products. That bill followed earlier moves by states like California, New Jersey, and Missouri to rein in hemp-derived THC products.

The draft of the new bill also includes a new definition for “industrial hemp” that is restricted to non-cannabinoid/non-psychoactive parts of the plant. In addition, the proposed Farm Bill would create a “certified seed pilot program,” where hemp grown from certain low-THC seeds would be exempted from THC testing.—Shane English

Tagged : cannabis, Hemp Beverage Alliance, Upstate Elevator, Wynk

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