GOP Rep's Hemp Bill Faces Unlikely Coalition of Opponents

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) says his forthcoming hemp regulation legislation is drawing fire from an unusual alliance of alcohol companies, state-licensed cannabis operators, and anti-legalization advocates—groups that rarely agree on anything cannabis-related.

The Maryland congressman told reporters this week that he plans to introduce the bill within days to establish federal oversight of hemp-derived products, offering an alternative to the current ban on intoxicating hemp cannabinoids scheduled to take effect in May 2025.

"We've got the alcohol industry worried about competition, we've got state marijuana businesses worried about their market share, and we've got prohibitionists who just want everything banned," Harris said. "It's quite a coalition."

The Regulatory Gap

The legislation comes as the hemp industry faces a regulatory crisis. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and its derivatives were legalized federally, but Congress left a gaping hole: no clear rules for intoxicating compounds like delta-8 THC, delta-10, and other semi-synthetic cannabinoids that now flood gas stations and smoke shops nationwide.

The USDA's interim final rule, published last year, would effectively ban these products by prohibiting any hemp-derived cannabinoid that produces intoxication. Industry groups estimate the rule could eliminate $28 billion in annual hemp sales and cost tens of thousands of jobs.

Harris's bill would instead create a regulatory framework similar to alcohol—setting potency limits, requiring lab testing, and establishing age restrictions without an outright prohibition.

Strange Bedfellows

The opposition reflects the complex politics surrounding hemp regulation. Alcohol trade groups have lobbied against hemp beverages, viewing them as direct competition for beer and spirits sales. Some state-licensed marijuana operators argue that unregulated hemp products undercut their heavily taxed and tested cannabis offerings.

Meanwhile, traditional drug war advocates oppose any form of legal intoxicating cannabis, whether from marijuana or hemp.

"The alcohol industry sees dollar signs walking out the door," said Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. "State cannabis operators want their monopoly protected. And prohibitionists just want to turn back the clock to 1930."

The marijuana industry's position has proven particularly contentious. Several state cannabis trade associations have supported tighter hemp restrictions, arguing that unregulated products pose safety risks and create unfair competition.

What's in the Bill

While Harris hasn't released the full legislative text, he's outlined key provisions: products would be limited to 10mg THC per serving, require third-party lab testing, and carry clear labeling about intoxicating effects. Sales would be restricted to adults 21 and older, and states could impose additional regulations.

The framework mirrors proposals from hemp industry groups who've spent months negotiating with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. But with the May deadline approaching and Congress facing a packed legislative calendar, the bill's prospects remain uncertain.

Timeline and Next Steps

Harris said he expects to file the legislation before the end of February, giving Congress roughly two months to act before the USDA rule takes effect. The bill would need to move through the House Agriculture Committee, where hemp policy has become increasingly partisan.

Several Democrats have expressed skepticism about allowing intoxicating hemp products to remain legal, while some Republicans view regulation as government overreach. Harris, who chairs the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, hopes his conservative credentials will help win GOP support.

"We need a sensible middle ground," Harris said. "Not a Wild West, but not prohibition either."

The hemp industry is watching closely. If Congress fails to act by May, thousands of retailers could be forced to pull products from shelves overnight, creating chaos in a market that's grown exponentially since 2018.

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This article is based on original reporting by www.marijuanamoment.net.