President Donald Trump has urged Congress to amend a provision in the agriculture minibus funding legislation that would impose a strict limit on hemp-derived THC in CBD products. The current law, set to take effect on November 12, 2026, caps the total hemp-derived THC per container at 0.4 milligrams, which industry experts say would eliminate nearly 95% of current CBD products on the market.
Trump’s Call to Action
Trump posted on Truth Social, stating, "I am calling on Congress to update the Law to ensure that Americans can continue to access the full-spectrum CBD products they have come to rely on." He emphasized the importance of preserving access for those who benefit from CBD while addressing concerns about products that pose health risks. The president also highlighted the impact on farmers, stating, "It will also help our GREAT FARMERS, who we love, and will always be there for."
Industry and Legislative Response
The hemp industry has expressed alarm over the potential ban, with farmers warning that they could lose their 2026 harvests if the law remains unchanged. Kentucky farmer Jay Grundy told the Washington Examiner, "We are 100% taking a gamble moving forward." Lawmakers, including Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), have introduced bills aimed at regulating the market while providing more flexibility than the proposed 0.4-milligram cap.
Background and Context
The provision was included in the funding legislation to prevent a government shutdown in November 2025. The cap was intended to target intoxicating levels of hemp and bad actors in the market. However, critics argue it would disproportionately affect legitimate CBD products. Trump also referenced his December 2023 executive order calling for research and innovation in hemp-derived CBD, which he described as making a "HUGE difference for so many people."