House Republicans Advance Hemp THC Ban in Key Committee Vote

Budget Proposal Would Redefine Hemp and Eliminate Federal Protections for Many THC Products

A Republican-led budget proposal that would ban hemp-derived THC products under federal law has advanced out of committee but still faces an uncertain future in Congress.

On Monday, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The vote passed along party lines, 35–27, and included controversial language that significantly alters the federal definition of hemp.

Redefined Hemp Language Would Target THCA and Other Cannabinoids

Included in the budget proposal is language that would effectively ban a wide range of hemp-derived THC products by redefining what qualifies as legal hemp. If passed, the changes would:

• Include tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in the THC content calculation, disqualifying THCA flower from being considered hemp.

• Remove from the legal hemp definition any cannabinoids “synthesized or manufactured outside the plant,” such as THCP and delta-10 THC.

These provisions aim to shut down the rapidly expanding market for intoxicating hemp-derived products like delta-8 THC and hemp beverages, which are currently legal under the 2018 Farm Bill but loosely regulated at the federal level.

Proposal Originated from House Subcommittee Chair Focused on Closing ‘Hemp Loopholes’

The new language was introduced by Rep. Andy Harris, a Maryland Republican and chair of the Agriculture Subcommittee. His efforts seek to close what some lawmakers view as unintended loopholes in the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp but did not account for the psychoactive potential of some derived compounds.

Though the bill advanced without discussion of hemp in Monday’s news releases, the proposed redefinition is seen by industry stakeholders as one of the most consequential federal cannabis policy moves since the original hemp legalization.

Farm Bill Reform Delayed, Leaving THC Regulation to Budget Process

The ongoing delay of the next Farm Bill—now two years overdue—has left legislators seeking other avenues to address hemp and cannabis policy. The House budget process is now being used to advance regulatory changes, though it remains unclear whether these provisions will survive broader negotiations or gain support in the Senate.

Bipartisan Opposition Possible from States With Strong Hemp Economies

Despite its committee approval, the budget proposal’s future is far from certain. Several Republican senators represent states with thriving hemp industries—such as Kentucky, North Carolina, and Texas—and may resist efforts that could negatively impact their local economies.

Texas alone is home to what is believed to be the largest intoxicating hemp market in the U.S., generating an estimated $5.5 billion in annual revenue. The state’s political dynamics further underscore the popularity and economic weight of hemp products: just days before the House vote, Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a state-level bill that would have banned hemp-derived THC, citing concerns over regulatory overreach.

Industry Awaits Next Steps as Congressional Debate Continues

The proposed changes mark a significant escalation in federal attempts to rein in the intoxicating hemp market, but the final outcome remains highly uncertain. As the full House and Senate consider the broader budget legislation, hemp industry leaders and policymakers alike will closely monitor whether the language redefining hemp remains intact—or if growing opposition from within the GOP itself will force revisions.