On July 23, 2026, members of the U.S. House of Representatives from both political parties jointly proposed the “Legal Industrial Hemp Protection Act”, aiming to establish a nationally unified regulatory framework for industrial hemp products and prevent a ban on industrial hemp-derived consumer products that is set to take effect in November this year.
Critical Timeline & Market Impact
According to the spending bill passed last year, starting from November 12, 2026, any industrial hemp-derived consumer products with a THC content exceeding 0.4 milligrams will be classified as Schedule 1 controlled substances. If the ban takes effect, it will mean that the vast majority of industrial hemp beverages, edibles, and other products currently available on the market will become illegal overnight. According to data from the American Industrial Hemp Roundtable, the annual market size of this industry has exceeded $28 billion, and the implementation of the ban will cause significant losses.
Proposed Bill & Core Contents
In order to prevent this ban, Andy Barr, a Republican legislator from Kentucky, and Angie Craig, a Democratic legislator from Minnesota, jointly proposed a new bill, the core contents of which include:
① Increase the legal THC content limit of industrial hemp from 0.3% to 1% (calculated on a dry weight basis);
② Establish a unified federal standard encompassing cultivation, processing, testing, and labeling;
③ It is explicitly prohibited to use synthetic cannabinoids in any finished industrial hemp products;
④ The purchasing age is set at 21 years old, and marketing to children is prohibited;
⑤ Listed products must be grown, processed, and packaged in the United States.
Legislators’ Stance
Senator Barr stated that Kentucky farmers require certainty, and this bill establishes a national framework based on successful experiences, which can both protect consumers and eliminate unscrupulous practitioners. Senator Craig mentioned that the bill aims to bring order and safety to the rapidly developing market. According to Senator Barr, the bill has received support from the White House.
Industry Feedback
The industry has responded positively. The CEO of beverage brand Nowadays believes that a unified standard will make consumers safer, and there will be more room for responsible enterprises to distribute and innovate. The CEO of brand Crescent Canna, on the other hand, warns that a simple ban will only push consumers towards the black market.
Legislative Context
It is noteworthy that two days ago (July 21), Senate Democrats had reintroduced a more comprehensive Cannabis Management and Opportunity Act, aiming to completely remove cannabis from the federal controlled list. Meanwhile, the Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Act has removed the provisions restricting industrial hemp, but the House version still retains them, and the differences between the two houses have not been bridged. Whether the bipartisan proposal can successfully navigate the hurdles before the ban takes effect in November remains uncertain.
Post time: Aug-01-2026