The Hemp THC Ban: What’s Really Happening, What Could Change, and What You Can Do

Posted by Rare Cannabinoid Company on Nov 10th 2025

(Last updated January 2026)

If you’ve seen headlines about a federal THC ban on hemp products, you’re not alone — and you don’t need to panic.

Yes, a new federal spending bill signed in late 2025 included language that would severely restrict hemp-derived THC. But what’s happening now is just as important as what was passed — because lawmakers, farmers, and industry leaders are actively working on a fix.

Here’s the clear, up-to-date picture of where things stand, what could change, and how consumers and businesses can help protect access to safe, responsibly made hemp products.

Quick answers (at a glance)

Is hemp-derived THC banned right now?
No. Hemp-derived products remain legal today.

Will there be a ban?
Under current law, a ban could take effect in November 2026, but Congress is actively working to delay it and replace it with smarter regulations.

What’s the goal?
A bipartisan bill would give the hemp industry three years (until November 2028) to implement safety standards instead of an immediate prohibition.

What the new federal THC provision actually says

For years, hemp has been federally legal as long as it contains no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. That standard allowed full-spectrum CBD oils, low-dose gummies, beverages, and topicals to exist nationwide.

The provision added to the 2025 federal spending bill changes that approach dramatically.

Instead of a percentage-based limit, it caps finished hemp products at just 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container — not per serving, but per entire package.

In practical terms, this would eliminate most full-spectrum hemp products, even those that use naturally occurring cannabinoids and meet current federal hemp standards.

The language was originally intended to stop dangerous high-strength and synthetic THC products from being sold outside regulated dispensaries — a goal that Rare Cannabinoid Company and many others in the hemp industry support. However, it was written so broadly that it also bans safe, naturally occurring, low-dose THC used in countless wellness formulas.

How to interpret this from a wellness standpoint

At Rare Cannabinoid Company, this would affect some of our products that contain small, naturally occurring amounts of THC — such as our full-spectrum Hawaiian CBD, Mood Gummies, Rapid Relief Gel, and other oils, edibles, or topicals that include any amount of hemp-derived THC.

However, it’s important to note that not all products are affected. Hemp items that contain zero THC would remain fully legal.

THC is just one of more than a hundred cannabinoids found in hemp. In low, natural amounts, it contributes to relaxation, relief, and overall balance, enhancing the effects of other cannabinoids like CBD, CBC, and CBG.

What would remain legal and available

Even without THC, hemp offers a remarkable range of naturally occurring cannabinoids that continue to provide distinct benefits on their own — or, in states where allowed, can be paired with THC from local dispensaries for a balanced experience:

CBN for deep relaxation and sleep
CBG for sore or swollen joints or muscles
THCV for energy, focus, and appetite control
CBDV for social ease, memory, and irritability
CBC for mood improvement and motivation
CBD for stress relief, balance, and calm

What’s changed since the bill passed

This is where the story shifts.

In January 2026, a bipartisan bill (HR 7010) was introduced in Congress that would delay the hemp THC ban until November 2028.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. James Baird (R-Indiana) and co-sponsored by lawmakers from both parties, including representatives from Kentucky, North Carolina, and Minnesota. The intent is clear: give farmers, manufacturers, and regulators time to implement smart, enforceable safeguards — not wipe out an industry overnight.

As Rep. Baird explained, hemp farmers made planting and business decisions based on the legal framework created by the 2018 Farm Bill. Abruptly changing the rules without a transition period disrupts farms, supply chains, and small businesses across the country.

Industry groups, state regulators, and agricultural organizations have echoed this point, emphasizing that many states already have workable regulatory systems in place — and that thoughtful federal standards should build on those, not replace them with prohibition.

What you can do right now (this matters)

Momentum is building — but lawmakers need to hear from real people.

Hemp industry leaders, farmers, and advocacy groups are urging Congress to fast-track HR 7010 and give the industry a three-year regulatory runway instead of an abrupt ban.

Take 30 seconds to tell Congress to support a smart fix

A short message makes a real difference. Lawmakers are listening — especially right now.

Why this matters beyond hemp businesses

This isn’t just about products on shelves. According to industry estimates, more than 325,000 American jobs are tied to hemp farming, processing, and retail.

A sudden ban would:

Disrupt farmers who planned crops years in advance
Eliminate compliant, lab-tested products
Push consumers toward unregulated or illicit alternatives
Reverse progress made since hemp was federally legalized in 2018

The question facing Congress isn’t whether hemp should be regulated — it’s how.

What Rare Cannabinoid Company supports

Rare Cannabinoid Company supports sensible, science-based regulation that:

Protects consumers
Ensures transparency and testing
Keeps unsafe or synthetic products off the market

What we do not support is a blanket ban that removes naturally occurring THC from responsibly made hemp products without offering a reasonable transition or regulatory alternative.

The bottom line

Hemp products remain legal today
A restrictive THC provision exists, but it is not the final word
A bipartisan solution is already on the table
Consumers and businesses have a real opportunity to shape the outcome

We’ll continue monitoring developments closely and sharing clear, accurate updates as this evolves.

Hemp wellness doesn’t need prohibition — it needs thoughtful, practical regulation that protects consumers and American farmers alike.