News

🌿 A Push to Protect Hemp

The national hemp market is once again at a crossroads. As lawmakers debate whether to tighten the definition of “hemp” to include all THC isomers — not just Delta-9 — the industry fears a sweeping rollback of the freedoms granted under the 2018 Farm Bill. That landmark bill, signed by Donald Trump, opened the door to a booming hemp economy now worth more than $28 billion.

Now, proposed language in Congress could effectively recriminalize hemp-derived cannabinoids, including Delta-8 THC and other compounds that remain federally legal today. The change would close the “intoxicating hemp” loophole and make thousands of products currently sold in gas stations, smoke shops, and online marketplaces illegal overnight.

⚖️ Why Trump’s Role Matters

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable and other advocacy groups are urging Trump to take a public stand. They argue that the current reform efforts contradict the intent of his 2018 legislation — which was meant to empower American farmers and create new opportunities in hemp manufacturing, health, and wellness.

Trump has not yet commented directly on the recriminalization proposal, but in recent months he has endorsed CBD use among seniors, calling it “a game changer” for wellness and pain management. His support for hemp-based products remains one of the few bipartisan wins from his administration, and industry leaders hope he’ll reaffirm that stance as new legislation moves forward.

🧾 What’s at Stake for the Industry

If Congress succeeds in redefining hemp by total THC content, the impact would ripple across the nation. Retailers could lose nearly all hemp-derived THC products, from Delta-8 vapes and edibles to low-dose drinks and full-spectrum oils. The result would be devastating for small farmers and processors who rely on hemp flower and extraction sales to stay afloat.

Advocates warn that such a move could erase thousands of jobs, shutter family-run hemp businesses, and hand the market back to state-licensed cannabis operators — undoing years of progress in hemp entrepreneurship. Meanwhile, consumers who have turned to hemp-derived cannabinoids as legal wellness alternatives would see limited access and higher prices.

🔮 Looking Ahead

The battle over hemp’s future is far from over. Lawmakers face growing pressure from both sides — one pushing for tighter regulation and another defending hemp’s right to innovate responsibly.

Whether Trump speaks out or not, the debate highlights how far hemp has come since 2018 — and how fragile those gains still are. With billions of dollars and countless livelihoods on the line, the next few months could determine whether hemp remains an American success story or becomes a political casualty.

👻 Ghost Vapors will continue tracking this developing story as part of our ongoing Hemp Watch coverage — because knowledge is power, and hemp’s future depends on it.