Trump Urges Congress to Preserve Full-Spectrum CBD Access

President Donald Trump called on Congress this week to amend federal hemp regulations that threaten to ban nonintoxicating, full-spectrum CBD products, marking his second intervention in the hemp policy debate since taking office.

The president's statement comes as the hemp industry grapples with regulatory ambiguity over which cannabinoid products qualify as legal hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill. The current federal definition limits hemp to cannabis plants containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC, but enforcement agencies have increasingly challenged products containing other naturally occurring cannabinoids.

"We need clarity on what Congress intended when they legalized hemp," said Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. "Full-spectrum products have been on the market for years, and suddenly we're facing an existential threat to the entire category."

The Regulatory Gap

The issue centers on how federal agencies interpret the 2018 Farm Bill's hemp definition. While the law explicitly legalized hemp and its derivatives, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Food and Drug Administration have taken inconsistent positions on products containing minor cannabinoids like CBG, CBN, and delta-8 THC—even when derived from legal hemp.

Industry analysts estimate the full-spectrum CBD market generates $2.8 billion in annual sales, supporting thousands of small businesses and farmers. A regulatory crackdown could eliminate most products currently sold in retail stores and online.

Trump's statement didn't propose specific legislative language but emphasized that nonintoxicating hemp products should remain accessible to consumers. The White House has previously signaled support for distinguishing between intoxicating synthetic cannabinoids and naturally occurring compounds in hemp plants.

Industry Response

Hemp businesses welcomed the presidential attention but stressed the urgency of congressional action. Several states have already moved to restrict hemp-derived cannabinoids, creating a patchwork of regulations that complicates interstate commerce.

"Every day without clarity costs our industry jobs and forces legitimate businesses to operate in legal gray areas," said Erica Stark, executive director of the National Hemp Association. "We appreciate the president's recognition of this problem, but we need legislation, not just statements."

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable has been working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to draft clarifying language that would explicitly protect full-spectrum hemp products while addressing concerns about intoxicating synthetic cannabinoids that have proliferated in gas stations and convenience stores.

What's Next

Congress faces mounting pressure to address hemp regulation in the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization, though negotiations remain stalled over unrelated agricultural policy issues. Some lawmakers have suggested including hemp provisions in separate legislation to avoid delays.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) have previously introduced bills to clarify hemp regulations, but neither gained significant traction. Industry advocates say presidential support could change the political calculus.

The FDA has also faced criticism for its slow progress on CBD regulations. The agency has held the authority to regulate CBD as a food ingredient since 2018 but has yet to issue comprehensive guidance, leaving the market in limbo.

For now, hemp businesses continue operating under uncertain legal conditions, with some companies reformulating products or pulling items from shelves preemptively. Industry groups estimate that without congressional action, up to 40% of current hemp products could disappear from the market by year's end.

The president's call for legislative action signals that hemp policy remains a priority for the administration, but the timeline for congressional resolution remains unclear. Hemp advocates say they'll continue pushing for clarity before the regulatory uncertainty causes irreparable damage to the industry.

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This article is based on original reporting by www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com.