President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind a controversial ban on hemp products with THC, tucked into a major Senate spending bill. This move comes as the Senate advances the package, sparking fierce debate among cannabis advocates, farmers, and big alcohol players. What does this mean for the booming hemp industry that Trump himself helped launch?
The Senate just cleared a key spending bill for full debate, including language that would outlaw most hemp items containing THC. A White House aide told NBC News that Trump supports this exact wording on hemp. This bill aims to keep the government running but packs a punch for the hemp world.
Hemp groups warn this could wipe out billions in sales. The proposed ban targets products with more than 0.4 milligrams of THC, effectively shutting down edibles, drinks, and vapes sold nationwide. Farmers and businesses built this market after the 2018 Farm Bill, which Trump signed, made hemp legal.
Senators voted 60-40 to end debate on the bill, setting up a final vote soon. One Republican senator tried to strip the ban but failed. Industry leaders say this reverses gains from Trump’s first term.
This isn’t just about hemp. Alcohol companies have lobbied hard, seeing THC drinks as rivals. Cannabis reformers feel betrayed, especially after Trump’s campaign nods to marijuana changes.
Trump’s Shifting Stance on Cannabis
Trump’s support for the ban surprises some, given his past actions. In 2018, he signed the Farm Bill that opened doors for hemp farming and products. That law defined hemp as cannabis with under 0.3% THC, sparking a rush of legal goods.
But Trump has mixed views on cannabis. During his recent campaign, he backed rescheduling marijuana to ease federal rules. Yet he worries about non-medical use, once calling it a gateway to harder drugs.
A White House spokesperson confirmed Trump’s position amid talks to reopen the government. The bill includes the THC ban to close what some call a loophole in the 2018 law. Unregulated THC items have flooded stores, raising safety concerns.
Democratic senators earlier this year called the ban a “fatal blow” to hemp. They wrote letters urging colleagues to drop it, pointing to job losses in states like Kentucky.
Hemp sales hit $28 billion last year, per industry reports from the U.S. Hemp Roundtable in 2024. Farmers in over 20 states rely on this crop for income.
Industry Fights Back Against Ban
Hemp advocates are scrambling to block the ban before the bill passes. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable sent Trump a letter last month, reminding him of his role in legalizing the crop. They begged him to stop Congress from “reversing” that win.
One GOP senator proposed an amendment to save the industry but the Senate shot it down. Stakeholders say the ban would crush small farms and boost black market sales.
Here’s how the ban could hit key areas:
- Farmers: Thousands might lose crops worth millions, with no clear alternatives.
- Retailers: Stores selling THC gummies or seltzers face shutdowns or big fines.
- Consumers: People using hemp for pain or stress could turn to riskier options.
Big alcohol firms support the ban, arguing it levels the playing field. They claim unregulated THC products dodge taxes and safety checks that booze must follow.
In Kentucky, a hemp hotspot, politicians like Rand Paul oppose the ban. He has long fought to keep the 2018 loophole open, saying it protects local jobs.
A recent study by the Hemp Industries Association, done in early 2025, found that banning intoxicating hemp could cut 100,000 jobs nationwide. Researchers surveyed over 500 businesses to gather this data.
Broader Impacts on Economy and Health
This ban ties into bigger fights over cannabis reform. With marijuana rescheduling on the table, hemp’s fate could signal Trump’s full approach. Supporters say it protects kids from potent edibles mimicking candy.
Critics argue it ignores hemp’s benefits. CBD from hemp helps with anxiety and pain, backed by a 2023 NIH study showing positive effects in 70% of users. That research involved 2,000 participants over two years.
The bill extends Farm Bill programs but adds this strict THC limit. If passed, it would ban sales of most delta-8 and similar products, popular in states without legal weed.
Economists predict a $10 billion hit to the U.S. economy in the first year alone. This comes from a 2025 report by New Frontier Data, which analyzed sales trends since 2018.
Some see hope in House talks. Lawmakers there might soften the ban during final negotiations. But with Trump’s backing, changes seem tough.
Public health experts are split. Some praise the ban for curbing youth access, citing a CDC report from 2024 that linked THC vapes to rising teen poisonings. Others say regulation, not bans, is the answer.
As this unfolds, everyday Americans feel the squeeze. Hemp users might pay more for alternatives, while farmers hunt for new markets.
In a rare move, bipartisan senators have voiced concerns. Even some Republicans worry about overreach into state rights.
This story echoes past drug policy shifts. Remember how the 2018 bill boosted rural economies? Now, it might all unravel.
The push for this ban started in committee earlier this year. A House panel approved similar language in June 2025, but the Senate version went further.
Industry groups plan rallies and more letters to sway votes. Time is short, with a potential government shutdown looming.
Trump’s team says the ban fits his “America First” agenda by protecting public health. But hemp backers call it a gift to big corporations.
As the Senate gears up for a final vote, all eyes are on whether amendments can save the day. The outcome could reshape cannabis laws for years.
This development hits hard for the hemp industry that grew under Trump’s watch, potentially erasing jobs and innovations while pleasing alcohol giants and safety hawks. It raises questions about consistency in cannabis policy and who really benefits from such bans.
