U.S. Hemp Roundtable Strongly Opposes Proposed Senate Language to Recriminalize Hemp

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Hemp Roundtable issues the following statement regarding the proposed Senate language to recriminalize hemp products, condemning the harmful decision by Congress that threatens to eliminate America’s $28.4 billion hemp industry and jeopardizes more than 300,000 American jobs. If passed, this legislation would wipe out 95% of the industry, shuttering small businesses and American farms while costing states $1.5 billion in lost tax revenue.

Despite misleading claims this language protects non-intoxicating CBD products, the reality is that more than 90% of non-intoxicating hemp-derived products contain levels of THC that are greater than the proposed cap of .4 mg per container. As a result, seniors, veterans, and many other consumers who depend on hemp for their health and well-being would be violating federal law to purchase these products, disrupting their care and leaving them scrambling for potentially harmful alternatives.

While Congress pushes forward with this hemp-killing provision, the fight is far from over. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) is submitting an emergency amendment to strike the hemp ban from the proposed legislation, a move fully supported by the hemp industry. His leadership offers a critical lifeline to thousands of American farmers, entrepreneurs, and consumers, and the industry stands united behind his efforts.

If the language passes, as-is, the hemp industry is committed to continuing the fight. During the one-year proposed moratorium, U.S. Hemp Roundtable will work closely with lawmakers to reverse the ban and replace it with responsible, science-based regulations that crackdown on misleading and purely synthetic products, create restrictions that keep products out of the hands of children, and promote standard manufacturing practices. Unlike these regulations, the current proposal fails to protect consumers and risks fueling a dangerous black market.

“Our industry is being used as a pawn as leaders work to reopen the government. Recriminalizing hemp will force American farms and businesses to close and disrupt the wellbeing of countless Americans who depend on hemp,” said Jonathan Miller, U.S. Hemp Roundtable General Counsel. “We support Senator Rand Paul’s efforts to push back on this language and will continue to fight alongside him for a regulated, safe, and robust hemp industry.”

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About the U.S. Hemp Roundtable:

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is a coalition of dozens of leading companies and organizations committed to safe hemp and CBD products. We proudly represent the industry’s major national grassroots organizations and are leading the way forward for hemp and CBD products through education and action.