New Bipartisan Bill In Congress Would Keep Hemp THC Products Legal, With New Taxes And Regulations

Key Points:

• Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Lawful Hemp Protection Act to allow continued sales of certain hemp-derived THC products by redefining legal hemp to include up to 1% total THC on a dry-weight basis, partially reversing a ban set for November 2024.
• The bill, supported by the White House, includes new labeling requirements, age restrictions (21+), taxes on sales, and bans on synthetic cannabinoids like HHC, THC-O-acetate, and THCP, aiming to protect consumers and support the hemp industry.
• It establishes a regulatory framework with federal permits for manufacturers and wholesalers, potency limits set by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and a three-tier system for hemp-derived beverages, with tax revenues funding oversight and enforcement.
• The legislation seeks to maintain consumer access to full-spectrum CBD products, reflecting President Trump’s calls to update hemp laws to avoid recriminalization, and includes provisions to protect Medicare coverage for hemp-derived products.
• Despite support, the bill faces opposition from some alcohol and cannabis industry groups, and its passage remains uncertain amid mixed congressional and industry responses to the impending federal restrictions on hemp THC products.