UPDATE: Congress members began effort to turn around restrictions on hemp industry

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Sen. Mitch McConnell slipped a provision into the government funding bill in November that completely devastated the hemp and CBD industry. The provision only allows one year before severe restrictions would go into effect that would basically put most hemp farmers and CBD distributors out of business.

A group called the Hemp Industry and Farmers of America has been fighting to get McConnell’s legislation reversed. Now a bipartisan group of congress members have introduced a bill that would delay the restrictions for three years, with the hope that it will allow time for Congress to enact common-sense regulations.

“Last week, we had over 100 farmers, business owners, and veterans in Washington, D.C. to advocate for an extension on the looming ban,” the Hemp Industry group announced. “Please, take a moment and Congress contact. Ask Congress to protect hemp-derived products and alternatives that millions of Americans depend on. CALL ASAP: https://hifa.health/call-your-lawmakers/.”

Matt Peyton, one of those included in the group, also announced:

Big week in Washington, D.C. for the United States hemp industry!
I was in D.C. representing Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA) and was proud to be one of, if not the only, voices there representing West Virginia and our business, Thrax.

I had a one-on-one meeting with Congresswoman Carol Miller that meant a lot to me personally. It was just her and me sitting next to each other, with my dad sitting right behind me. About ten minutes in, my lobbyist showed up, but by then I was already fully prepared and had given her the full rundown. I walked her through our business, the future of the hemp industry, and why this matters so much to West Virginians. She listened closely for over 30 minutes and told me directly that she would do whatever she could to help.

I also had a very positive meeting with Senator Shelley Moore Capito’s team where they were very receptive and asked lots of questions.

Congressman Thomas Massie opened his office to seven of us for a meeting originally scheduled for two. This was something I wasnt expecting and was extremely excited about. This kind of openness and leadership matters.

I met Congressman James Comer and attended his press conference announcing sponsorship of HR 7010. I also had the chance to meet the speakers from the press conference, including a large-scale hemp farmer and fellow Eagle Scout, Ken Meyer of South Dakota, which made the moment even more meaningful.

In a moment you cannot script, Senator Cory Booker held an elevator, listened to my 90-second hemp spiel, and told me directly that we had his full support, including his support of the Rand Paul amendment (back when the government reopened). That is exactly what bipartisan leadership looks like.

Beyond the meetings, it was genuinely special getting to tour the Capitol with my dad, Patrick. That is a memory I will always be grateful for.

The final icing on the cake was getting a conference call arranged yesterday with Senator Jim Justice’ team where I got Nick on the call with me. Another successful endeavor.

This week was a turning point. Nearly 100 farmers and business owners were in D.C. and, as a group, met with every single sitting member of Congress. That level of access and coordination made this fly-in historic.

Congress must pass HR 7010 to give the hemp industry a three-year regulatory runway that protects consumers while preserving American farms, small businesses, and over 325,000 jobs.

The group also announced in a Facebook post last week:

Great news: Congressman Jim Baird introduced the Hemp Planting Predictability Act, a bipartisan bill that would give hemp farmers THREE YEARS before devastating restrictions take effect and enough time for Congress to enact common-sense regulations.

But here’s the reality: farmers and businesses were blindsided by these restrictions that were buried in last year’s government funding bill.

They’ve already made planting decisions and invested their resources based on the legal framework that’s been in place by Congress since 2018.
The current restrictions would:

✖️ Impact nearly 95% of hemp-derived products
✖️ Force farmers to abandon crops already in the ground
✖️ Devastate businesses

This bill has strong bipartisan support from Reps. James Comer, Angie Craig, Tim Moore, and Gabe Evans — and more. Rep. Comer is fighting to get an extension into the government funding bill that’s due January 30 — but Congress needs to hear from constituents like YOU.

⏰ We have DAYS to turn the heat up on Congress.

📞 Contact Congressional leadership NOW: hifa.health/contact-your-lawmakers/
Let’s save our farmers, our businesses, and our communities.
Share this post and take action today! 🌱

Rep. James Baird (R-Ind.) wrote on X, “I introduced the Hemp Planting Predictability Act with @RepJamesComer, @RepAngieCraig, @RepTimMooreNC, and @repgabeevans to extend the implementation of new hemp restrictions and ensure farmers have sufficient time to adjust to new laws that affect their livelihood.”

“I am proud to be an original cosponsor of Rep. Baird’s bill to extend the implementation of new hemp restrictions by two years,” said House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman Comer in a press release.

“This common-sense extension gives farmers and America’s hemp industry the time they need to adapt while Congress works to establish a clear, reasonable regulatory framework. I have championed the hemp industry since my time as Kentucky’s Commissioner of Agriculture and remain committed to bipartisan solutions in Washington that support our local farmers and provide certainty for this growing industry,” Comer added.

The Hemp Industry and Farmers of America posted an urgent plea on Monday:

We need help from YOU. From Colorado to Texas to North Carolina to Washington, the current hemp ban will devastate our farmers.

After productive discussions with congressional leadership, members of the Trump administration, and industry advocates, momentum IS building — but time is running out.

We know Congress has DAYS remaining to pass a government funding bill, and as Congressman James Comer said, pushing members to include a hemp extension is our best chance to protect hundreds of thousands of farmers, processors, and businesses across America.

There’s no time to waste, call your lawmakers TODAY: https://lnkd.in/gycKzWiV .

Ask Speaker Mike Johnson, Leader John Thune, Minority Leader Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, and Minority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer to listen to constituents and ensure Baird-Craig’s hemp extension language is included in the upcoming continuing resolution.

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