American Hemp Protection Act of 2025
American Hemp Protection Act of 2025
Plain Language Summary
# American Hemp Protection Act of 2025 – Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill would undo restrictions on hemp products that were put into place by the 2026 agriculture spending law (passed in November 2025). Specifically, it would repeal new federal controls over hemp and hemp-derived products that are scheduled to take effect in November 2026. The bill essentially aims to maintain the looser regulatory environment for hemp that has existed since the 2018 farm bill. **Background and Who It Affects:** Since 2018, hemp products containing 0.3% or less of THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana) have been largely unregulated at the federal level and don't require DEA registration to produce or sell. The recent agriculture spending law changed this by reimposing certain federal controls.
This bill would reverse those new controls, affecting hemp farmers, hemp product manufacturers, retailers, and consumers who rely on or use hemp and hemp-derived products (such as CBD). **Current Status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) in the 119th Congress.
CRS Official Summary
American Hemp Protection Act of 2025This bill repeals changes to the regulation of hemp products, which reimpose certain federal controls over some hemp products.Specifically, Congress enacted the FY2026 agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 119-37) on November 12, 2025. Effective November 12, 2026, the act modifies the statutory definition of hemp products that are considered to be lawful. This bill repeals the changes.As background, the 2018 farm bill excluded hemp from the Controlled Substances Act definition of marijuana and defined hemp. As a result, hemp and hemp-derived products at or below the 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) concentration threshold were no longer regulated as Schedule I controlled substances. Registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration was no longer required to cultivate or handle hemp and hemp-derived products. However, hemp remained subject to Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration regulation.The 2025 changes to the definition of hemp, includechanging the limit to a total THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis rather than only delta-9 THC,explicitly including industrial hemp,excluding seeds from a cannabis plant that exceed a certain THC concentration, andexcluding various types of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.Cannabinoids refer to unique chemical compounds that are found in hemp and marijuana (e.g., THC) and are known to exhibit a range of psychological and physiological effects.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.