GOP Senator Warns Federal THC Ban Would Devastate Hemp Industry

On September 11, 2025, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) issued a stark warning about proposals in Congress that would ban hemp products containing any measurable amount of THC. The longtime hemp advocate argued that such a move would effectively erase the industry by removing the small but significant cannabinoid content that consumers rely on for therapeutic benefits.

Paul Pushes Back Against a Zero THC Hemp Standard

Speaking to LEX 18, Paul said that while some lawmakers—including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY)—favor a model requiring hemp products to contain no detectable THC, such products would have little appeal in the marketplace.

“I don’t think anybody will buy those products,” Paul said. “The THC—even a little bit of it—is probably what helps to make people more calm, sleep better, or have less anxiety.”

He described what researchers call the “entourage effect,” the theory that cannabinoids work more effectively together than in isolation. By stripping THC entirely, Paul warned, Congress would strip away much of hemp’s value to consumers.

A Potential Death Blow to Hemp Businesses

Paul was blunt about the consequences of the proposal. “There’ll be no more hemp industry,” he said. “It’ll completely eradicate it—all the CBD oil, all the gummies, it’ll be gone.”

His comments reflect widespread industry fears that a strict THC ban would criminalize nearly all hemp-derived products currently sold, from oils and tinctures to edibles and wellness supplements.

Legislative Battles Over Hemp Regulation

Earlier this summer, Paul successfully blocked the hemp ban language from being added to a Senate agriculture spending bill, despite strong support from McConnell and others. He argued that regulations should aim to promote safety while preserving the industry legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, which McConnell himself had championed.

Paul has also introduced his own legislation, the Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act, which would raise the legal THC limit for hemp crops and address industry complaints about vague regulatory standards.

Meanwhile, in the House, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) has spearheaded efforts to prohibit hemp-derived intoxicating products through the chamber’s agriculture spending bill. Harris has dismissed concerns about the bill’s reach, though a Congressional Research Service (CRS) report released in June said the language would “effectively” ban most consumable hemp cannabinoid products.

Confusion and Compromise on Capitol Hill

Part of the disagreement centers on unclear legislative language that would leave it up to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to decide what counts as a “quantifiable” amount of THC. Paul and other critics say that without precise definitions, even trace THC levels in CBD products could make them illegal.

Paul has said he is working with House lawmakers to craft a compromise that addresses safety concerns while protecting the industry. His strategy seeks to prevent a repeat of what he called a near “eradication” of hemp businesses if the current language moves forward.

Industry Stakeholders Sound the Alarm

Hemp companies and trade associations have mobilized aggressively against the proposed ban. Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, told Congress earlier this year that the industry is “begging” for federal regulations—but not ones that would wipe out the market altogether.

Other stakeholders, including the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, have also criticized the House proposal, saying it amounts to a ban and instead urging lawmakers to distinguish between natural cannabinoids and synthetically derived products.

A Clash Between Cannabis and Alcohol Industries

The fight is unfolding against a backdrop of rising competition between cannabis and alcohol. A 2024 Bloomberg Intelligence report described cannabis as a “significant threat” to alcohol sales, noting that many consumers are choosing cannabis products over beer and wine. In response, alcohol industry groups have called for tighter restrictions on hemp and cannabis products, citing safety and public health concerns.

What’s Next for Hemp Policy

For now, Paul’s intervention has stalled the ban in the Senate, but House provisions could resurface in negotiations later this year. With the 2024 Farm Bill debates still casting a shadow and spending bills moving through Congress, the future of hemp regulation remains uncertain.

As Paul frames it, the stakes are existential: a total ban on THC in hemp would not just regulate the market but “eradicate” it, leaving consumers without the products they rely on and dismantling an industry that has flourished since legalization.