Policy & Regulation
55 articles
DEA Says Hemp Company Cannot Challenge Its Federal-Ban Position on HHC
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration says a hemp company lacks standing to challenge the agency’s position that HHC, a synthetic cannabinoid, is federally prohibited. The filing responds to litigation brought by the hemp sector and keeps the legal dispute over the federal status of synthetic and semi-synthetic cannabinoids in focus.
2026-08-12
Federal Judge Denies Emergency Pause of Texas Hemp THC Restrictions — Rules Stay in Effect During Litigation
A federal judge denied the hemp industry’s request for an emergency temporary restraining order against Texas’s new THC-product restrictions. The rules covering intoxicating cannabinoids such as delta-8 will remain in force while the underlying case proceeds, prolonging legal uncertainty in the Texas hemp market.
2026-08-12
U.S. Senate Confirms Delay of Hemp THC Product Ban — Rejects Amendment to Keep November Ban on Track
The U.S. Senate rejected an amendment that would have kept federal recriminalization of hemp THC products on track for November, instead passing a White House-backed delay provision. Senator Amy Klobuchar said the bipartisan measure is intended to give lawmakers time to build a federal regulatory framework rather than impose a ban. The Senate measure still requires action by the House.
2026-08-10
Hemp THC Ban Delay Confirmed — U.S. Senate Includes Provision in Spending Bill to Postpone Ban from Nov. 12 to Feb. 11
Senate Appropriations leadership released draft language extending federal agency funding through December 11 and included a provision delaying the scheduled prohibition on hemp products until December 11. However, an exception would immediately re-criminalize synthetic cannabinoids 'that cannot be naturally produced in cannabis' as of November 12. The provision was not included in the House-passed spending bill and therefore requires additional approval; together with the hemp-legalization legislation introduced by Barr and Craig, it is being viewed as a key measure to resolve legal uncertainty for the hemp industry.
2026-08-02
Texas to Prohibit Sale and Possession of Hemp‑Derived Intoxicating Cannabinoids (Delta‑8, etc.) from July 31 — $5.5B Market Hit
Following a Texas Supreme Court ruling that reinstated the regulation, sale and possession of Delta‑8 THC products will be illegal beginning July 31. The ban targets intoxicating hemp‑derived cannabinoids used for inhalation—such as Delta‑8 and Delta‑10—while excluding Delta‑9 THC that meets the federal hemp threshold (≤0.3% dry weight), which underpins Texas’s $5.5 billion hemp market. Criminal penalties will apply for possession or sale of synthetic THC analogs, including Delta‑8 present at non‑naturally occurring concentrations.
2026-07-31
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill — Registrations Surge After Vaping, New Indications Allowed
After Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed legislation expanding access to medical cannabis — including adding new qualifying conditions, permitting vaping, and changing allowable THC concentrations — the Georgia Department of Public Health says the expansion, which took effect this month, has already produced a significant increase in program registrants. Officials say the addition of new indications and authorization of vaping improved accessibility and drove the influx of newly registered patients.
2026-07-27
House Passes NDAA Psychedelics Amendment — Codifies Trump Executive Order, Extends Military Psychedelic Research Through 2033
The U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that extends the military’s psychedelic research program by six years, through 2033, and codifies provisions of former President Trump’s executive order on psychedelics. Amid institutional expansion of psychedelic therapies within military and Veterans Affairs settings, federal attention to alternative therapeutics — including cannabinoids — is rising.
2026-07-24
Reps. Barr and Craig Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Keep Hemp‑Derived THC Products Legal — Replace November Blanket Ban with Federal Regulatory and Tax Framework
Reps. Andy Barr (R‑KY) and Angie Craig (D‑MN) have introduced a bipartisan bill to replace the full federal ban on hemp‑derived THC products scheduled to take effect in November with a new federal regulatory and taxation framework. Barr’s office said the White House supports the measure, and the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has voiced support, arguing that THC beverages should be treated like alcohol. With the November prohibition deadline approaching, the bill is being viewed as a key piece of legislation to resolve legal uncertainty for the hemp industry.
2026-07-23
Federal Judge Blocks Enforcement of Ohio Hemp THC Regulation — Preliminary Injunction Against 10 Companies
A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction preventing Ohio from enforcing its hemp-derived THC product regulation against ten specific companies while the lawsuit proceeds. Similar litigation is underway in Missouri and Florida, and the industry's legal challenges to tightened state hemp regulations are spreading nationwide.
2026-07-20
First Day of DEA Rescheduling Hearing: DEA, FDA Highlight Testimony That Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol and Opioids
On the first day of the DEA rescheduling hearing, counsel for the DEA and FDA emphasized testimony regarding cannabis’s medical benefits and its relative safety compared with alcohol and opioids. Bipartisan lawmakers predicted that congressional efforts to block the rescheduling would likely fail. Observers characterize the hearing as one of the most significant public proceedings in U.S. cannabis policy history, and say the DEA’s Schedule III reclassification process has effectively reached an irreversible stage.
2026-06-30
Virginia Finalizes Legalization of Adult-Use Cannabis Sales — Enacted via Inclusion in Budget
Virginia’s House and Senate have accepted Gov. Spanberger (D)’s amended budget proposal, finalizing the legalization of adult-use cannabis sales. The provision will take effect as law without further action by the governor, ending years of legal uncertainty. Although the governor had earlier vetoed a standalone legalization bill, lawmakers used a budgetary workaround to secure enactment. Virginia is the latest major East Coast state to legalize adult-use cannabis sales.
2026-06-30
White House Urges Congress to Ensure Fair Treatment for Hemp — Seeks at Least a Delay of November Re‑criminalization Measure
The White House sent a letter to Congress urging that the broad hemp re‑criminalization measure scheduled to take effect in November be deferred, at minimum, to ensure fair treatment of hemp products. Citing a recent amendment that would keep THC products legal while imposing additional regulation, the administration said a grace period is needed to resolve legal uncertainty for the industry. The move, following an OMB urging letter already posted in news banners, reaffirms the administration’s commitment to protecting hemp.
2026-06-25