CSBA Stands with the Hemp Roundtable to Stop the Federal Ban on Legal Hemp

barbara83072
Sep 18
3 min read

Hemp on the Hill: A Fight for Farmers, Small Businesses, and Consumers

On September 3rd, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable brought together growers, manufacturers, retailers, and advocates from across the hemp economy to make their voices heard in Washington, D.C. From hemp-infused beverages and edibles to flowers and foods, every sector of the industry was represented.

Their mission: stop a dangerous new attempt to ban hemp-derived products tucked deep inside the FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations Bill.

Representative Andy Harris (R-MD) inserted language that would redefine hemp in a way that effectively outlaws nearly all hemp-derived products containing any detectable THC. This mirrors last year’s failed “Mary Miller Amendment” — an effort that drew strong bipartisan backlash.

This time, hemp leaders didn’t sit back. They met directly with House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) and Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to make their case.

Voices from Capitol Hill

Senator Rand Paul, long a champion of hemp, didn’t mince words:

“It makes no sense for Congress to create jobs and investment through the 2018 Farm Bill only to pull the rug out from under farmers and small businesses now. Hemp is legal, and it should stay legal. We need regulation, not prohibition.”

Chairman James Comer echoed this sentiment, underscoring hemp’s role in Kentucky and beyond:

“This industry has been a lifeline for farmers in my district and across the nation. We cannot allow hidden language in a spending bill to destroy livelihoods. I will fight to ensure hemp remains a legal, regulated crop.”

What’s at Stake

Hemp is more than an agricultural commodity — it’s an ecosystem. Since the 2018 Farm Bill:

Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been created in farming, processing, and retail.
Rural communities have benefitted from new streams of sustainable revenue.
Consumers nationwide have gained access to safe, lab-tested cannabinoid products.

A broad ban would wipe out small businesses, devastate family farms, and force consumers toward unsafe black-market alternatives.

The Real Solution: Responsible Regulation

Instead of bans and backdoor restrictions, the Hemp Roundtable is advocating for science-based, responsible regulation, including:

Sales restricted to adults 21+
Clear, standardized packaging and labeling
Bans on synthetic or artificially derived cannabinoids
Independent third-party testing for safety and transparency

This approach protects consumers while keeping the legal hemp economy thriving.

A Temporary Victory — But the Fight Isn’t Over

The Senate has already passed its appropriations bill without the hemp-killing provision, a major win. But the fight isn’t finished. The House and Senate must now negotiate a final version of the bill, and the threat could resurface at any time.

Call to Action

The hemp community cannot stay silent. Farmers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and allies all have a role to play.

📣 Tell Congress:

Vote NO on any attempt to redefine or ban hemp.
Support bipartisan efforts for fair, science-based regulation.
Protect the farms, jobs, and small businesses that depend on hemp.

➡️ Use the Hemp Roundtable’s action tools to contact your Senators and Representatives today.

Together, we can ensure hemp remains what it was always meant to be: a legal, regulated, and thriving part of American agriculture.

Virginians: Your Voice Can Make the Difference

The Cannabis Small Business Association urges all Virginia residents, hemp businesses, and supporters to contact their congressional representatives immediately and ask them to:

Oppose harmful language that would impose a zero-THC definition on hemp.
Support science-based limits that reflect the difference between hemp and cannabis.
Stand up for Virginia’s farmers, jobs, and small businesses.

Current Virginia House Delegation

Virginia is represented by 11 members in the U.S. House of Representatives. As of September 2025, they are:

District 1: Rob Wittman (R)
District 2: Jen Kiggans (R)
District 3: Bobby Scott (D)
District 4: Jennifer McClellan (D)
District 5: John McGuire (R)
District 6: Ben Cline (R)
District 7: Eugene Vindman (D)
District 8: Don Beyer (D)
District 9: Morgan Griffith (R)
District 10: Suhas Subramanyam (D)
District 11: Vacant — Special election scheduled for September 9, 2025, following the passing of Rep. Gerry Connolly