Legislation Introduced to Regulate Hemp Products as an Alternative to Bans

On December 10, 2025, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley reintroduced legislation that intends to create safety standards for hemp products and return them to the market, a press release from Senator Wyden explained (1). The reintroduction of the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) comes after the addition of provisions related to hemp in the recently passed the FY26 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, which redefined hemp and limited the total amount of THC in hemp-derived products (2).

Aim and Content of the Legislation

The 84-page bill intends “To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the regulation of cannabis and cannabinoid products, and for other purposes,” and seeks to increase the role of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regulating hemp and hemp-derived products (1,3). A lack of regulation of products since the 2018 Farm Bill has resulted in inconsistent regulation and untested products that are marketed to minors, a one page summary of the bill explains (4). The recent spending bill recriminalized nearly 100% of hemp products, it adds.

If the CSRA passes, it will set a federal age at 21, prohibit synthetic cannabinoids and high THC levels, establish labeling standards, and more. Manufactures would be required to register with the FDA and test their products, and FDA would disseminate manufacturing and testing requirements.

Additionally, the summary also states that the CSRA (4):

• Creates a new $125 million underage cannabis use prevention grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services to prevent young people from using cannabis and cannabinoid products;
• Establishes a new $200 million state cannabis-impaired driving prevention grant program and a nationwide anti-drugged driving campaign;
• Funds research to develop a cannabis impairment standard and a drugged driving standard to create a “cannabis breathalyzer;”
• Prohibits added flavors and any packaging or labeling that could appeal to children, like cartoons, anthropomorphic figures, and candy or snack forms;
• Ensures FDA can recall products if or when necessary; and
• Ensures that imported products meet the same standards as those produced in the U.S.

Wyden explains that the bill offers an alternative to sweeping product bans. “There’s no question that more needs to be done to protect kids and consumers from unsafe, untested hemp products,” stated Senator Wyden in the press release. “We learned from the failed war on drugs that a one-size-fits all approach banning hemp products from the market outright does nothing to protect kids and consumers, and will be a gut-punch to thousands of jobs and small businesses across the country. My legislation takes the thoughtful and measured approach necessary to implement strong consumer protection regulations while fostering growth and innovation in this growing industry.”

Responses from the Industry

Several comments from industry stakeholders were included in the press release.

“The hemp industry stands firmly behind Senator Wyden’s effort to replace confusion with clarity and prohibition with practical regulation,” stated said Jonathan Miller, General Counsel of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. “[This legislation] takes important steps to protect consumers, ensure products are safe and kept out of the hands of children, while preserving access to the hemp-derived products that millions of Americans rely on for their health and wellness.”

In November, the US Hemp Roundtable published action points for the industry in response to the spending bill (5).

“The CSRA would take steps to establish an effective framework to regulate the hemp market by requiring products to be tested and properly labeled and outlawing synthetic derived products,” stated Dawson Hobbs, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA). “This legislation would allow states to continue implementing their own standards while setting important baseline public safety standards and ensuring that these products are not readily available to children. We look forward to working with Senator Wyden to craft a comprehensive regulatory solution for intoxicating hemp products.”

In June, the (WSWA) had expressed concern over the FY2026 Agriculture–FDA appropriations bill, which contained language that would place a federal ban on hemp products (6).

References

1. Ron Wyden. Wyden Reintroduces Bill to Keep Hemp on the Market with Strong Consumer Protections. December 10, 2025. https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-reintroduces-bill-to-keep-hemp-on-the-market-with-strong-consumer-protections (Accessed 2025-12-16).
2. Colli, M. US Government Shutdown Ends with Redefinition of Hemp. November 13, 2025. https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/us-government-shutdown-ends-with-redefinition-of-hemp (Accessed 2025-12-16).
3. Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/hemp_legislative_text.pdf (Accessed 2025-12-16).
4. Ron Wyden. Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act Fact Sheet. https://www.finance.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cannabinoid_safety_and_regulation_act_fact_sheet.pdf (Accessed 2025-12-16).
5. Colli, M. The US Hemp Roundtable Urges for Action Following Redefinition of Hemp November 25, 2025. https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/the-us-hemp-roundtable-urges-for-action-following-redefinition-of-hemp (Accessed 2025-12-16).
6. Colli, M. WSWA Expresses Concern Over Proposed Ban on Naturally-Derived Hemp Products in FY2026 Agriculture–FDA Appropriations Bill June 11, 2025. https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/wswa-expresses-concern-over-proposed-ban-on-naturally-derived-hemp-products-in-fy2026-agriculture-fda-appropriations-bill (Accessed 2025-12-16).