In a stunning reversal of progress, Congress has voted to move forward with language that effectively recriminalizes hemp-derived THC products, reigniting fears across an industry once heralded as a triumph of American innovation. The inclusion of what’s being called the “Hidden Federal Hemp Ban” in the latest federal appropriations bill has sent shockwaves through farmers, manufacturers, small business owners, and consumers nationwide. The measure, widely referred to as the McConnell-Harris restrictions, was approved by the U. S. Senate after lawmakers voted to table an amendment from Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) that sought to strike the hemp ban language from the bill. Senator Paul’s amendment was blocked following a motion made by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), a move that stunned many observers given his role in championing hemp legalization under the 2018 Farm Bill. “This is not just a policy shift it’s a betrayal of the farmers, veterans, and small business owners who built their livelihoods under the law Congress itself passed,” said Senator Paul during the debate. “We are now punishing Americans for following the very rules this government created.” The proposed restrictions, which could soon take effect if signed into law, would ban nearly all hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including popular THCA and Delta-8 formulations that have been legally sold under the existing hemp definition for years. Analysts warn the measure could wipe out over 325, 000 American jobs, devastate a $70 billion industry, and eliminate access to products relied upon by millions of veterans, seniors, and medical users. A Political Flashpoint and an Economic Crisis The 2018 Farm Bill, signed into law by then-President Donald Trump, legalized hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids containing less than 0. 3% Delta-9 THC, sparking explosive growth in agricultural, manufacturing, and retail sectors nationwide. But under the new federal spending bill, Congress seeks to roll back that progress, citing concerns about intoxicating products derived from hemp extract including THCA, which converts into THC when heated. What many industry experts describe as an “overreach” is being championed by a coalition of alcohol and tobacco industry groups, including the American Distilled Spirits Alliance, Beer Institute, and Wine America, who recently issued a joint letter urging lawmakers to support the hemp restrictions. Meanwhile, members of the Hemp Beverage Alliance and numerous small business coalitions have condemned the measure, warning it will cripple domestic producers while strengthening unregulated black markets. According to a White House official quoted by NBC News, President Donald Trump supports the inclusion of the hemp ban language in the funding bill despite the fact that his administration originally legalized hemp. That reversal has left many hemp advocates calling on the President to reconsider. “This is not about intoxicating products,” said one hemp coalition spokesperson. “This is about an industry that revitalized American agriculture, created jobs, and gave veterans and patients an alternative to opioids. That’s what’s being taken away.” Black Tie’s Position: Standing Up for Legal Hemp and American Jobs As the reality of the federal hemp ban sets in, Black Tie CBD one of the nation’s most respected hemp brands is taking a stand. Known for its lab-tested, federally compliant THCA and hemp products, the Oregon-based company has joined a growing national movement urging citizens to contact the White House and demand removal of the anti-hemp language from the final funding package. Black Tie’s leadership warns that this measure would not only destroy jobs but also erase the legal framework that small businesses and farmers have operated under since 2018. “We built this industry from the ground up under federal guidance,” said a Black Tie representative. “We followed every regulation, every compliance rule, and now Congress is changing the rules midstream. This isn’t just bad policy it’s an attack on American entrepreneurship.” The company is calling on supporters, customers, and fellow hemp advocates to take immediate action by contacting lawmakers and the White House directly through advocacy organizations such as the Hemp Industry Freedom Alliance at Industry Fallout and Growing Public Backlash The passage of the hemp ban language through Congress has sparked an immediate and intense backlash from farmers, business owners, and consumers across the United States. What began as a policy debate in Washington has now become a nationwide mobilization effort to defend the rights of those who depend on hemp for their livelihoods and wellness. An Industry on the Brink Across the country, hemp producers are already preparing for the worst. The federal hemp ban-if enacted-would reclassify hemp-derived cannabinoids such as THCA, Delta-8, and other minor cannabinoids as controlled substances, effectively criminalizing the very products that built the modern hemp economy. Industry economists estimate that within months of enforcement, the U. S. would see: 325, 000 job losses across farming, manufacturing, and retail sectors, Billions in lost revenue for small businesses, And the closure of over 50% of hemp-based operations nationwide. For rural communities that rely on hemp cultivation, particularly in states like Kentucky, Oregon, Missouri, and North Carolina, the consequences could be devastating. Many of these areas turned to hemp as an alternative crop when tobacco and other traditional markets declined a transition made possible by the 2018 Farm Bill. “When we legalized hemp, we gave farmers a second chance,” said Senator Rand Paul during his appeal to remove the ban. “Now we’re ripping that away because of fear, misinformation, and political pressure. This is not how government should treat its citizens.” Paul’s amendment to strike the hemp ban language was defeated after a motion by Senator Mitch McConnell, a surprising reversal from the senator who once helped usher in hemp’s federal legalization. McConnell’s decision has become a flashpoint within both the hemp and political communities, symbolizing a sharp divide between lawmakers who view hemp as agriculture and those who see it as a loophole for intoxicating substances. Industry and Legal Experts Warn of Chaos Legal experts argue that the appropriations bill hemp amendment-often referred to as the “hemp loophole fix”-doesn’t just close loopholes; it rewrites the definition of hemp entirely, sweeping legitimate agricultural and therapeutic products into the same category as marijuana. “This legislation isn’t a regulatory correction-it’s a blanket criminalization,” said a Washington-based cannabis attorney. “If enforced, it would make millions of products illegal overnight and erase years of scientific, agricultural, and business progress.” Organizations like the Hemp Beverage Alliance, U. S. Hemp Roundtable, and National Hemp Association have all voiced strong opposition. Their statements emphasize the bill’s “disastrous overreach”, warning that banning hemp-derived THC products will fuel illicit markets, cut off veterans and seniors from therapeutic options, and eliminate safe, tested consumer alternatives to high-THC cannabis. Meanwhile, alcohol and tobacco lobbies-including the Beer Institute and Wine America-have reportedly supported the hemp restrictions. Many in the industry view this as an attempt by established industries to suppress hemp’s growing market share, particularly in the wellness and beverage sectors. “This is corporate protectionism disguised as public safety,” one hemp coalition leader stated. “Rather than regulate, they’re choosing to eradicate.” Black Tie’s Message: Act Now, Before It’s Too Late At the heart of this national outcry, Black Tie continues to use its platform to educate, mobilize, and empower hemp supporters. The company has issued a clear and urgent message: time is running out, and the public must take action before the federal government enacts a permanent rollback of hemp legalization. The company urges readers to do three things today: Contact the White House Visit HIFA. health/get-involved and submit a message opposing the hemp ban. Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard Request to speak directly with your Senators and Representatives: 202-224-3121. Share Your Story Post on social media and tag lawmakers, explaining how hemp products have impacted your health, business, or community. “This is not just a policy debate-it’s a defining moment for American freedom, agriculture, and wellness,” a Black Tie spokesperson said. “We owe it to our farmers, veterans, and families to speak out before their rights are gone.” One Year to Act Mobilizing the Hemp Industry Before the Countdown Ends With President Trump expected to sign the funding bill containing the hemp ban language, the 365-day countdown has officially begun. The passage marks a defining moment not only for the hemp industry but for the future of agricultural freedom, small business, and natural wellness in America. While the measure’s full enforcement will take effect one year from the President’s signature, leaders within the industry are warning that the time to act is now, not later. As the Missouri Hemp Trade Association wrote in its latest update: “We have one year to protect access for veterans, rural communities, small businesses, farmers, and consumers who depend on these products every day. We cannot wait. We cannot assume someone else will fix this. Tonight begins that fight.” This sentiment is echoed across the nation from hemp growers in Kentucky and Colorado to wellness advocates in Florida and California. The message is unified and urgent: without collective action, the hemp industry could be dismantled by 2026. For a deeper understanding of how this legislation evolved and why the industry is fighting back, read Black Tie’s feature on Reuters: Black Tie CBD Stands with Senator Rand Paul to Defend the Future of Legal Hemp and THCA Products. State-Level Coalitions Rising Across multiple states, hemp associations, business owners, and advocacy groups are rapidly forming coalitions to challenge the federal language. Missouri’s model a call for immediate membership growth, data collection, and economic impact reporting is serving as a blueprint for other states looking to demonstrate the industry’s scale and legitimacy. These organizations are collecting data on: How many hemp-based businesses operate in each state. The number of employees who would lose their jobs if the ban is enforced. The direct economic losses to local communities. By quantifying the real-world consequences, advocates aim to confront lawmakers with evidence that hemp is not a loophole it’s a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Americans. Industry leaders are also pushing for new state-level protections, encouraging governors and legislators to adopt measures preserving hemp commerce and production within their borders. This approach mirrors the state-by-state resistance seen in previous agricultural and cannabis reform battles. “States have always been the testing grounds for freedom,” said one Missouri hemp organizer. “If Washington turns its back on us, we’ll build a firewall of state protections to keep our farms and communities alive.” Black Tie’s Commitment: Advocacy, Education, and Action Throughout this crisis, Black Tie CBD remains committed to its mission not just as a company, but as an advocate for fair regulation, scientific transparency, and public empowerment. Since its founding, Black Tie has operated with the belief that hemp represents more than a business it’s an opportunity for sustainable agriculture, economic growth, and wellness access. The company continues to educate consumers through its official blog: The Hidden Federal Hemp Ban What You Need to Know About the Hemp Act and the Future of Legal THCA, helping readers understand how the legislation impacts farmers, businesses, and everyday Americans. The company is calling upon everyone from farmers to families, veterans to voters to stand together during this crucial year. Here’s what you can do right now: Contact the White House: HIFA. health/get-involved Call the Capitol Hill Switchboard: Speak with your Senators and Representatives today at 202-224-3121 Join or support your state hemp association: Help collect data, share stories, and show lawmakers the scale of the industry. Educate others: Share verified information online and combat misinformation surrounding hemp and cannabinoids. “This fight isn’t just about hemp,” Black Tie wrote in a recent statement. “It’s about preserving freedom of choice, defending American agriculture, and standing up for millions of citizens whose lives have been improved by this plant. We will not go quietly.” The Road Ahead As the nation begins this 12-month window before the federal THCA ban takes effect, it’s clear that the next year will define the future of hemp in America. The industry stands united from small farms to national brands like Black Tie in demanding that Congress reverse course and protect what was promised in the 2018 Farm Bill: the right to grow, produce, and access legal hemp. This isn’t the end of the story it’s the beginning of a movement. The fight to protect hemp, save jobs, and defend freedom of access continues. Recommended Stories.
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/774610/federal-hemp-ban-2025-could-recriminalize-hemp-black-tie-calls-for-nationwide-awareness/