Senate Agriculture Bill Drops Hemp Ban After Negotiations

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Language that would have banned intoxicating hemp products across the nation has been removed from the agricultural funding bill, Politico recently reported (1).

The Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act had been approved on July 10, 2025, by the Senate Committee on Appropriations with a vote of 27–0, according to a news release (2). Intending to support farmers, ranchers, food supply security, and nutritional support for families with low incomes, the bill also included language addressing hemp. The news release included highlights of the bill, and the Agricultural Marketing Services (AMS) section notes, “The bill also closes the hemp loophole that has resulted in the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products being sold across the country.”

In a July 29, 2025, press release (3), the US Hemp Roundtable celebrated the removal of the language, which would have ended 95% of the nation’s hemp industry, it stated. The bill had been authored by Representative Andy Harris and the hemp-related language had been added by Senator Mitch McConnell, it explained. After negotiation efforts from Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, the language was removed.

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Paul for standing up for the hemp industry. We stand with Rand for his leadership on this issue,” the press release stated, also noting appreciation for Senator McConnell for his efforts in the 2018 Farm Bill and his efforts for a compromise with Senator Paul, as well as efforts from Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley on the issue. It also explained that while a long-term agreement had not been reached yet, discussions would continue after the recess in August.

The organization also created a thank-you petition for Senator Paul for his efforts that resulted in “preserving the livelihoods of farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers across the nation,” (4).

A June 23 press release (5) from the House Appropriations Committee had addressed the hemp-related language in a list of key takeaways of the bill: “Closing the hemp loophole that has resulted in the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products, including Delta-8 and hemp flower, being sold online and in gas stations across the country.” The Committee had approved the measure with a vote of 35–27.

Additionally, in June 2025, the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) had announced (6) its support removing the section of the FY2026 Agriculture–FDA appropriations bill that the ability to place a federal ban on naturally-derived cannabinoids.

“WSWA supports the subcommittee’s action to eliminate synthetic, unnatural cannabinoids that are a threat to public health and safety,” Francis Creighton, WSWA President and CEO had stated in the press release. “But prohibition of all cannabinoids is not the answer—it risks sweeping up state regulated and Farm Bill compliant hemp-derived products that have driven a new and dynamic market. Under attempted complete prohibition, bad actors dealing in potentially harmful products will continue to operate and thrive in the shadows, while state regulatory structures that protect public safety will be put in conflict with Federal law.”

References

1. Yarrow, G. Senators agree to strip hemp language from ag funding bill https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/07/29/congress/senators-agree-to-strip-hemp-language-from-ag-funding-bill-00481768 (accessed July 30, 2025).
2. United States Senate Committee on Appropriations. Senate Committee Approves FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Bill https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news/majority/senate-committee-approves-fy-2026-agriculture-appropriations-bill (accessed July 30, 2025).
3. US Hemp Roundtable. BREAKING: Senate Ban Language Removed from Ag Appropriations https://hempsupporter.com/news/breaking-senate-ban-language-removed-from-ag-appropriations/ (accessed July 30, 2025).
4. Change.org. Sign on to thank Senator Rand Paul for his leadership on hemp https://www.change.org/p/sign-on-to-thank-senator-rand-paul-for-his-leadership-on-hemp?source_location=search (accessed July 30, 2025).
5. House Appropriations Committee. Committee Approves FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/committee-approves-fy26-agriculture-rural-development-food-and-drug (accessed July 30, 2025).
6. Colli, M. WSWA Expresses Concern Over Proposed Ban on Naturally-Derived Hemp Products in FY2026 Agriculture–FDA Appropriations Bill https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/wswa-expresses-concern-over-proposed-ban-on-naturally-derived-hemp-products-in-fy2026-agriculture-fda-appropriations-bill (accessed July 30, 2025).