📰 The Federal THC Ban

Background

In November 2025, Congress ended the longest government shutdown in U.S. history by passing a massive spending bill. Hidden inside that legislation was a provision banning hemp‑derived THC products — items that had exploded in popularity since the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp. That earlier law created a loophole allowing intoxicating products like Delta‑9 gummies, THC seltzers, and cannabis‑infused drinks to be sold outside of dispensaries.

What the Bill Does

• Redefines hemp to exclude intoxicating THC products.

• Caps THC content at 0.4 milligrams per container, a level experts say is essentially undetectable.

• Phase‑out period: Businesses have one year before enforcement begins.

• Scope: Nearly 95% of hemp businesses could be affected, with an estimated $1.5 billion in lost tax revenue.

  
  

Impact on Businesses & Communities

• Economic fallout: Industry leaders warn of 300,000 jobs at risk and a potential collapse of the $28 billion hemp market.

• Local businesses: Shops in Texas, North Carolina, and other states say the ban could force closures. One Texas store owner called it “a gut punch”.

• Black market fears: Experts caution that demand for THC products will remain strong, potentially fueling unregulated sales.

  
  

Political Context

• The ban was slipped into the spending bill quietly before the Senate vote.

• Supporters argue the 2018 Farm Bill was never intended to create a “consumable pot market”.

• Critics say Congress should regulate cannabis as one plant, rather than banning hemp‑derived products piecemeal.

  
  

Community Voices

• Consumers: Many use hemp‑derived THC for pain relief, anxiety, or as a safer alternative to opioids.

• Advocates: The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is urging Congress to reconsider, warning of devastating impacts on small businesses.

• States: Colorado, once criticized for strict hemp rules, now looks ahead of the curve as federal law catches up.

  
  

✍️ Closing Statement

This bill doesn’t just end a government shutdown — it reshapes the future of hemp in America. For communities like Kinston, where residents rely on affordable hemp products, the ban feels less like regulation and more like punishment. Congress has chosen to silence a booming industry, and the people who depend on it will pay the price.