A leading hemp industry organization has sent a letter to President Donald Trump, applauding him for his role in legalizing the crop during his first term and imploring him to prevent Congress from “reversing” the reform by banning hemp products containing any amount of THC.
In the letter—which is being accompanied by an online petition to Trump that supporters can sign—the U.S. Hemp Roundtable said that when the president signed the 2018 Farm Bill that federally legalized hemp, he “ushered in a new era for the American hemp industry.”
“As hemp producers, farmers, consumers, and advocates, we are grateful and remain hopeful that your influence can save the $28.4 billion hemp industry that you helped make possible,” it says. “The recent video you shared about the extraordinary value of hemp products was important, raising awareness on the positive impact our American-grown and manufactured products have.”
That’s referring to the president’s social media share of a video from The Commonwealth Project that touted the health benefits of hemp-derived CBD, particularly for senior citizens.
“Here at the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, our members are focused on giving Americans choices in improving their overall health and wellness,” the letter says. “Unfortunately, the federal government hasn’t kept up. Despite a lack of federal regulation and clear guidelines, we’ve done the right thing with self-regulation and job creation, but now we need your help!”
“Congress is close to passing a hemp ban, reversing the work you led in 2018 to make hemp blossom,” it continues. “A proposed definition change to hemp, being touted as protecting Americans, would wipe out 95 percent of this uniquely American industry that you are so proud of.”
Bipartisan congressional lawmakers have raised similar concerns, with a recent letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) pushing back against attempts to ban hemp THC products. The members argued that such a policy reversal would “deal a fatal blow” to the industry and, as currently included in a spending bill, violates congressional rules. To that end, the members say there are plans in the works to introduce an alternative measure to regulate the market.
“A more effective way to protect American consumers and jobs would be to support and demand robust hemp regulation—age restrictions along with uniform testing, labeling, and packaging requirements,” the hemp association’s letter states. “Outright prohibition is not the answer, nor would it make anyone safer. Banning legal hemp products that are already regulated at the state level will not protect consumers; it would only shift hemp to the black market and destroy a rising American industry in the process.”
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