House Agriculture Chair Unveils Farm Bill With Hemp Deregulation Push

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) released a draft 2026 Farm Bill on Friday that would preserve the federal industrial hemp program while rolling back what his office describes as excessive regulatory requirements for cultivators.

The proposal comes as the hemp industry has spent years navigating a complex patchwork of state and federal rules since hemp was federally legalized in the 2018 Farm Bill. Thompson's office says the new bill aims to streamline oversight for producers who have struggled with compliance costs and regulatory uncertainty.

What's in the Bill

The draft legislation maintains the core framework that allows states and tribes to regulate hemp production under USDA-approved plans. But it would modify existing rules that hemp advocates have long argued create unnecessary barriers to market entry and expansion.

Hemp producers have faced particular challenges with testing requirements, disposal protocols for non-compliant crops, and confusion over which products fall under hemp versus marijuana regulations. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp—defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC—but left many operational details to be determined through rulemaking.

The industry has grown rapidly since 2018, with USDA data showing licensed hemp acreage expanding from zero to over 54,000 acres by 2022. Yet many farmers have struggled with profitability amid regulatory complexity and market volatility.

Industry Pressure

Hemp industry groups have been lobbying heavily for Farm Bill provisions that would ease compliance burdens and provide clearer guidance on product categories. The National Hemp Association and U.S. Hemp Roundtable have both called for reforms to testing protocols and interstate commerce rules.

The bill's release sets up what's expected to be contentious negotiations between the House and Senate on hemp policy. Previous Farm Bill debates have seen sharp disagreements over how tightly to regulate hemp-derived products, particularly intoxicating cannabinoids like delta-8 THC that exist in a legal gray area.

Some lawmakers have pushed to restrict these products more heavily, arguing they circumvent state marijuana laws. Others maintain that overly strict rules would undermine the hemp industry Congress intended to support.

What Happens Next

Thompson's draft will now move through the committee markup process, where members can propose amendments before a floor vote. The Senate is working on its own version of the Farm Bill, which will need to be reconciled with any House-passed legislation.

The current Farm Bill technically expired in 2023 but has been extended through continuing resolutions. Agricultural and hemp industry groups have pressed for a full five-year reauthorization to provide long-term certainty for farmers making planting and investment decisions.

Timing remains uncertain, but Thompson has indicated he wants to move quickly on the legislation. Hemp provisions typically represent a small fraction of the massive Farm Bill, which covers everything from crop insurance to nutrition programs, but they've become increasingly contentious as the hemp market has evolved.

The bill's fate may ultimately depend on broader negotiations over Farm Bill spending levels and priorities. Previous attempts to pass comprehensive agricultural legislation have stalled over unrelated policy disputes, leaving hemp producers in continued regulatory limbo.

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