House Agriculture Chair Seeks Delay on Hemp THC Ban Implementation

The Republican chairman of the House Agriculture Committee is calling for a delay in implementing federal restrictions on hemp-derived THC products, warning that the impending ban could devastate an industry that's become a lifeline for American farmers.

Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), who leads the influential committee, has joined forces with hemp farmers and industry advocates to push back against the February 2025 deadline for new regulations that would effectively recriminalize many intoxicating hemp products currently sold legally across the country.

"The hemp industry is facing significant challenges and growing uncertainty, and is long past time for Congress to provide farmers and business owners" with clarity, Thompson said in recent statements to agricultural stakeholders.

The Looming Deadline

The controversy stems from provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp production but created an unintended consequence: a booming market for psychoactive products derived from hemp, including Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC, and other cannabinoids that produce effects similar to traditional marijuana.

Federal regulators have moved to close what they consider a loophole, setting a February implementation date for new rules that would ban most intoxicating hemp-derived products. But the move has sparked fierce opposition from farmers who've invested millions in hemp cultivation and processing infrastructure.

The hemp industry has grown into a multi-billion dollar market since 2018, with thousands of farmers pivoting to hemp production after decades of declining tobacco and commodity crop revenues. Many rural communities now depend on hemp processing facilities and retail operations for economic stability.

Bipartisan Farmer Concerns

Thompson's intervention is particularly significant given his position as Agriculture Committee chair and his traditionally conservative stance on drug policy. His willingness to push for a delay signals that the economic concerns of farmers are outweighing partisan positions on cannabis policy.

Farmers argue they made substantial investments in good faith based on the 2018 Farm Bill's legal framework. Hemp cultivation requires specialized equipment, processing facilities, and years of agronomic learning—investments that would become stranded assets under the proposed ban.

The timing also creates complications for the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization, which is already delayed and facing contentious negotiations over crop insurance, nutrition programs, and climate provisions. Adding hemp policy to that mix could further complicate an already difficult legislative process.

Industry Response

Hemp industry groups have rallied behind Thompson's call for a delay, arguing that any new regulations should be implemented through proper legislative channels rather than executive agency rulemaking.

"We're not asking for a free pass," said one industry representative. "We're asking for time to work with Congress on sensible regulations that protect consumers while preserving a legal industry that's providing real economic benefits to rural America."

The debate highlights the ongoing tension between federal marijuana prohibition and the legal hemp market. While marijuana remains Schedule I, hemp-derived products have existed in a gray area that's allowed rapid industry growth but created regulatory confusion.

What's Next

With the February deadline approaching and the new Congress still organizing, the path forward remains unclear. Thompson's committee will likely play a central role in any legislative solution, but whether there's enough time and political will to craft compromise legislation before the deadline is uncertain.

The situation also underscores broader questions about federal cannabis policy that remain unresolved even as a majority of states have legalized marijuana in some form. The hemp THC market emerged partly because federal marijuana prohibition created demand for legal alternatives.

For now, farmers and businesses are watching Washington closely, hoping that Thompson's intervention signals a willingness to pump the brakes on regulations that could upend an industry that's become deeply embedded in rural economies across the country.

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