As Congress races to avoid another government shutdown, a surprising issue has found its way into the center of the debate: hemp.
For an industry that’s created thousands of jobs and opportunities for farmers, innovators, and small businesses — including those in the craft beverage world — this fight could shape the future of hemp in America.
The Return of a Bad Idea
If the effort to ban hemp sounds familiar, that’s because we’ve seen it before.
Last year, Representative Mary Miller introduced an amendment to the Farm Bill that would have outlawed nearly every hemp product on the market — even those compliant with the federal 0.3% Δ9-THC limit. That proposal was ultimately blocked after strong pushback from the hemp community.
Now, the same kind of ban language has resurfaced — not through open debate, but slipped quietly into federal spending bills. According to leading industry associations like the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America, certain lawmakers, led by Rep. Andy Harris and Sen. Mitch McConnell, are pushing to criminalize all hemp products containing any detectable THC. In other words, it’s prohibition disguised as budgeting.
Rand Paul’s Call to Action
On October 28, 2025, Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky hosted a national webinar that drew thousands of participants from across the hemp and cannabis sectors. His message was clear: the time to get engaged is now.
Paul — along with others in Congress — is advocating for solutions that bring structure, not shutdowns. That includes an 18-month federal study on hemp, and two active regulatory proposals from Senator Ron Wyden and Congressman Morgan Griffith. These bills aim to finally provide the FDA and USDA the tools they need to regulate hemp products responsibly.
Regulate, Don’t Eradicate
The idea of banning an entire category overnight — especially through a must-pass government spending bill — would be devastating for small producers and craft innovators alike.
It’s the same lesson Texas learned in 2023, when a hemp ban championed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick was vetoed by Governor Greg Abbott, who instead chose to regulate rather than eliminate the market. That decision kept jobs in Texas and consumers protected — proof that smart policy works better than knee-jerk prohibition.
What’s at Stake
A blanket federal ban would undo years of progress and shut down an estimated $28 billion American hemp industry that supports farmers, veterans, and entrepreneurs. The future of hemp shouldn’t hinge on a late-night amendment to a spending bill. It deserves open, informed debate — and regulatory clarity.
Take Action
If you believe in fair, responsible regulation of hemp, make your voice heard.
👉 Contact your members of Congress here.
Let them know that America’s craft hemp industry deserves stability, not shutdowns.
