Bipartisan Federal Hemp THC Bill Gains New Cosponsors
- The Lawful Hemp Protection Act, a bipartisan bill, gained two new cosponsors, Representative Tim Moore (R-NC) and Marc Veasey (D-TX), increasing congressional support to four lawmakers.
- The bill seeks to partially reverse federal hemp restrictions set to take effect on November 12 by allowing finished hemp products to contain up to 1% total THC on a dry-weight basis, replacing the current limit of 0.4 milligrams per container.
- It proposes regulations including age limits (21+), ID verification for purchases, packaging and advertising restrictions to prevent child appeal, labeling requirements with THC content and health warnings, and child-resistant packaging.
- The legislation introduces a 5% retail fee on most hemp consumables sold interstate and specific taxes on hemp beverages, with regulatory oversight by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau establishing a three-tier system for hemp beverage production and sales.
A bipartisan federal bill that would preserve access to certain hemp-derived THC products under a new regulatory framework gained two additional cosponsors Thursday.
Representatives Tim Moore (R-NC) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) joined the Lawful Hemp Protection Act, bringing the proposal’s congressional support to four lawmakers.
The bill, H.R. 9830, was introduced July 22 by Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), with Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) joining as an original cosponsor. With the additions of Moore and Veasey, the legislation now has support from two Republicans and two Democrats representing Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina and Texas.
The 60-page proposal would partially reverse broad federal hemp restrictions scheduled to take effect November 12 while establishing federal rules for the manufacture, labeling, taxation and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.
Under legislation signed into law last year, finished products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will no longer qualify as federally legal hemp. The Lawful Hemp Protection Act would replace that standard with a framework allowing finished hemp products to contain up to 1% total THC on a dry-weight basis.
The bill would limit sales of consumable hemp products to adults 21 and older and require government-issued identification for in-person and online purchases. It would also prohibit packaging and advertising designed to appeal to children or imitate existing commercial products.
Labels would need to disclose the amount of THC per serving and package and include warnings concerning pregnancy, impaired driving and potential health risks. Packaging would also need to comply with federal child-resistance requirements.
Most hemp-derived consumable products sold through interstate commerce would face a 5% fee based on their retail price. Hemp beverages would instead be taxed at a rate of 5 cents for each milligram of THC.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau would oversee retailer registration and create a three-tier manufacturing, distribution and retail system for hemp beverages similar to the framework used for alcohol.