Hemp industry leaders and advocates are reeling this morning after a last ditch effort to remove language prohibiting virtually all THC beverages failed in Congress.
The measure, proposed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), sought to remove a section of the omnibus spending bill that would redefine hemp under heavy restrictions, including capping all finished products at .4 milligrams of total THC per container. The changes would go into effect one year after the law is passed.
Paul has been actively attempting to counter federal prohibition as championed by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Rep. Andy Harris (D-MD), who have argued that the loophole created by the 2018 Farm Bill must be closed to “keep the dangerous products out of the hands of children while preserving the hemp industry for farmers.”
“The legislation as written, has language in it from Sen. McConnell that would destroy the hemp industry,” Paul told NBC News.
Despite attracting the support of Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Paul’s amendment was tabled in a 76-24 vote.
The Senate voted to advance the spending package on Monday night, and it could be approved by the House as early as Wednesday. The White House appears unlikely to force the issue, as NBC News reported that President Trump “supports the current language in the bill on hemp.”
As CEO of Mindset Capital, Aaron Edelheit helped lead a $7.5 million investment round in fast-rising beverage maker Uncle Arnie’s earlier this year. Writing in his Substack newsletter this week, he cited data showing how brands like Cann, Cantrip, Cycling Frog and Trail Magic have resonated with female audiences and consumers averaging six-digit annual salaries — a group that could be a potent force at the ballot box next year.
“If this federal hemp ban passes, it would mark the first time since Prohibition that the U.S. government has taken away products primarily used by middle- to upper-class Americans, the majority of whom are women,” Edelheit wrote. “I’m not sure Congress realizes that, in their ignorance about who uses these products, they may be creating a wave of angry ‘Karens’ right before the midterms.”