Bipartisan Lawmakers Urge Congressional Leaders to Oppose Hemp Ban

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WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 26, 2025--

With the threat of prohibition still looming over the $28.4 billion hemp industry, 35 Members of Congress sent joint letters to leadership urging strong opposition to the inclusion of hemp-killing language in any final spending package. Instead, lawmakers are calling for the passage of responsible, effective regulations aimed at protecting consumers and supporting a growing American industry.

In a letter spearheaded by Representative James Comer (R-KY) and Representative Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), a bipartisan group of Congress members across 11 states detailed how language in the House version of the Agriculture-FDA Appropriations bill would recriminalize hemp products, an effort that would wipe out 95% of the industry and jeopardize 328,000 American jobs. Rushing into a misguided ban on hemp would negatively impact every sector of the industry as hemp farmers depend on the continued viability of all three hemp markets, grain, fiber and retail.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand the tremendous potential of industrial hemp to create quality jobs and meaningful economic opportunities for American workers and family farmers,” said Rep. Comer. “As Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture, I spearheaded the state’s industrial hemp pilot program and continue to be a strong advocate for the hemp industry in Congress. I’m fully committed to leading bipartisan efforts to urge House leadership to strip harmful language from the FY26 Ag-FDA bill—and any final appropriations package—that arbitrarily redefines legal hemp.”

Additionally, a joint letter, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), was delivered to Senate leadership, recommending legislation to establish a framework that would safeguard consumers and allow the continued growth of hemp farmers and business owners. These regulations would include age restrictions, independent third-party lab testing, and standardized packaging, labeling, and manufacturing.

“Consumer safety and protecting kids while promoting opportunities for national economic growth in the hemp industry can and must go hand-in-hand,” said Sen. Wyden. “Congress needs to get serious about pursuing common-sense safeguards to protect kids and consumers and encourage innovation instead of a one-size-fits-all approach that hinders economic development and doesn’t keep kids safe.”

About the U.S. Hemp Roundtable:

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is a coalition of dozens of leading companies and organizations committed to safe hemp and CBD products. We proudly represent the industry’s major national grassroots organizations and are leading the way forward for hemp and CBD products through education and action.

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SOURCE: U.S. Hemp Roundtable

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PUB: 09/26/2025 10:00 AM/DISC: 09/26/2025 09:59 AM

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