Kentucky Hemp Farmers Push Back on THC Ban
Summarize
Congress still needs to pass a revised 2018 Farm Bill, and a ban on hemp-derived THC is currently being considered. In an effort to convince the supporters of the revision to federal law to oppose what is, in effect, the criminalization of all products containing hemp-derived THC, 58 Kentucky hemp farmers sent a letter of warning to Senator Mitch McConnell that stresses the hemp industry will be devastated if there is a THC ban.
The reason Kentucky farmers sent the letter warning of catastrophic consequences is that U.S. Senator McConnell, representing Kentucky, had initially proposed the new law. Senator Rand Paul had the provision removed, but Senator McConnell wants to reinstate the language.
The language of contention would ban hemp-derived THC products at the federal level, including THCA flower. The stated purpose is to close a hemp loophole in the current law that has created an opening for producing hemp products like delta-8 and delta-10 THC. There is also concern about children being able to access these types of products in convenience stores and gas stations.
Mitch McConnell was an architect of the 2018 Farm Bill and added the hemp ban to the bill currently being debated. Although Senator Paul has removed the language, Senator McConnell is vowing to reinstate it in the bill. The 58 farmers in Kentucky sent the letter to McConnell to request a meeting and to warn of “immediate and catastrophic consequences” to the U.S. hemp industry should THC be effectively banned.
The letter from the Kentucky farmers underscores the potential loss, stating,
“Any legislative change that pulls the rug out from under this market – especially mid-season – is a direct blow to our farms, families, and rural communities.”
Senator Paul shares this concern, believing that Senator McConnell’s proposal would “destroy the American hemp industry.” The U.S. hemp industry, which generates $28.4 billion in the market and supports over 320,000 American jobs, is at stake.
Most CBD products would become illegal because even broad spectrum CBD oil may have a trace of THC. The only legal product would be isolate CBD under Senator McConnell’s proposal. The farmers have a lot of support. The Democrats object to the THC ban. Also, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell opposes the restrictive language, saying it would “criminalize non-intoxicating CBD products in our hemp program.”
The hemp industry is kept in a state of turmoil by the federal and state governments. It sometimes seems that there will never be a federal-level agreement. Updating the 2018 Farm Bill was supposed to be completed two years ago.
The current federal and state laws have left the hemp industry in a state of confusion. The 2018 Farm Bill, which was supposed to be updated two years ago, allows up to 0.3% THC in CBD products, but each state can determine how THC content is measured. This has led to wide variations, making it difficult for farmers and producers to plan for the future and causing confusion among consumers.
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