A year from now, hemp shops could disappear under a new federal ban

"When Congress approved the continuing resolution to reopen the government, it tucked inside that legislation a last-minute provision that will crack down on the spread of psychoactive hemp products, and that could end what's become a multibillion-dollar industry. In many states where marijuana is still illegal, like Texas, Florida, Wisconsin and North Carolina, businesses are selling products that have the same mind-altering effects."

"The proliferation of such products was made possible by vague wording in the 2018 Farm Bill. It allowed hemp farmers to make synthetic products like Delta 8 that mimic marijuana. The new federal ban prohibits hemp products with trace amounts of any THC. Some states have already restricted hemp products that get people high, and 39 state attorneys general signed a letter last month urging the federal government to act."

"MATT MITCHELL: This will be all our flowers and usually what people kind of are looking at, and that would be the THC-A percentage. HARRISON: His THC-A cigarettes produce a high just like a joint, and there's more. MITCHELL: Here's your CBD and your concentrates. There will be pet stuff over here, some tea, topicals, edibles, you know, chocolate, gummies, some vapes. HARRISON: The proliferation of such products was made possible by vague wording in the 2018 Farm Bill."

A continuing resolution to reopen the government includes a provision banning hemp products that contain any trace of THC. Vague wording in the 2018 Farm Bill allowed hemp farmers and manufacturers to produce synthetic cannabinoids such as Delta-8 that mimic marijuana’s psychoactive effects. Retailers in states where marijuana is illegal have sold THC-A cigarettes, CBD concentrates, edibles, gummies, vapes and pet products that can intoxicate users. The new federal ban would make any hemp product with trace THC illegal, a standard producers say is impossible to meet. Thirty-nine state attorneys general urged federal action after reports of children consuming hemp gummies, and several states already restricted intoxicating hemp products.

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