The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has praised the GOP-advanced spending bill, which would close the 2018 Farm Bill loophole that allowed hemp-derived THC products to proliferate across the U.S. The group cites the lack of tax structure and regulation, with the Farm Bill loophole leaving restrictions in the hands of individual states.

The move stands in contrast with the WSWA and hemp-industry groups, which seek federal regulation for the category but wants it to continue to be sold through traditional retail channels.

“DISCUS believes that intoxicating hemp products in any form should be treated as equivalent to marijuana products in terms of regulations, taxation, and retailing,” said Chris Swonger, president and CEO of DISCUS. “We support closing the Farm Bill loophole that unintentionally allowed intoxicating-hemp products to be sold across the country absent any taxation or regulation.”—Shane English