A newly passed bill to reopen the federal government has sparked concern across the hemp industry due to a provision that could lead to the prohibition of most THC products. If implemented, the measure would ban products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC, a move that critics say could negatively impact businesses and people who rely on these products for health-related reasons.
Local Businesses and Consumers Speak Out
Hemp shops in eastern North Carolina are voicing their worries about the proposed ban’s potential fallout. Jasmine Page, who works with The Holistic Co., shared her personal connection to the issue. "It definitely is surprising considering that this helps a lot of people, especially our community and different people like that", she said. "I’m a cancer survivor, so I use these products to help me with my different ailments, so it definitely was disheartening for a lot of us."
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, an organization advocating for fair laws and regulations within the hemp industry, has highlighted the far-reaching implications of the legislation. According to the group, the majority of non-intoxicating CBD products currently on the market exceed the 0.4 milligram THC limit outlined in the bill. This restriction could effectively eliminate more than 95% of available THC products.
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Customers Express Frustration
For some customers, the potential ban feels like a personal affront. Zachary Boyce, a former Division 1 cheerleader at the University of North Carolina, explained how THC and CBD have been vital in managing his chronic back pain. "I just think it’s specifically cruel", Boyce said. "I was D1 athlete as a cheerleader at the University of North Carolina, and ever since I retired from my cheerleading career, I’ve had back pain. I’ve turned to THC and CBD as a holistic remedy for managing my pain, and I think it’s a safer alternative to opioids, so this provision of the bill just seems cruel and unnecessary to me."
Other customers interviewed emphasized their hope for a more balanced approach. They suggested that instead of an outright ban on THC hemp products, lawmakers should collaborate on creating regulations that address safety and accessibility concerns.
Industry Pushback and Future Outlook
Businesses like The Holistic Co. are also weighing their options if the legislation moves forward. "It will affect us and the products that we have THC in", Page said. "Since we are a full holistic health business, we do have a lot of different products that don’t have that in it, but when it comes to that, we would just have to abide by the new rules set in place and hope that it will kind of get overturned by the next year."
The U.S. Hemp Roundtable is actively urging Congress to reconsider the provision, which is set to take effect next November. The group is advocating for a halt to the ban and a move toward more inclusive regulations for hemp products. The broader commercial sale of hemp products was made possible under the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp cultivation and opened markets for related goods.
As the debate continues, businesses, consumers, and advocacy groups remain united in their call for lawmakers to prioritize health and economic impacts in their decision-making process.