An internal GOP conflict regarding intoxicating hemp products is causing delays in the passage of a government funding bill. The Senate’s funding bill, scheduled for consideration this week, includes a provision to postpone the prohibition on most hemp-derived THC products until December 11. The White House requested this delay, surprising some senators.
Senator Ted Budd from North Carolina, along with some Republicans, opposes the delay. They are demanding a vote to remove the provision from the bill, citing concerns about children’s easy access to these THC products. However, the administration has been clear about wanting this delay. President Trump highlighted the issue on Truth Social in April, urging Congress to ensure continued access to full-spectrum CBD products.
During the House’s discussion of the Agriculture, Rural Development, and FDA package in June, the Office of Management and Budget expressed willingness to work with Congress. They aim to redefine the statutory definition of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, balancing access with safety concerns. Lawmakers at the time rejected several amendments related to hemp regulation.
The controversy stems from a law passed late last year, redefining hemp to address the so-called “hemp loophole.” This issue arose from the 2018 Farm Bill, which declassified hemp as a controlled substance. Its broad definition allowed companies to extract high THC levels without regulation, leading to a proliferation of related products.
The new legal definition limits hemp products to 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, effective November 12. The proposed delay would shift the enforcement date by a month. Products synthesized and not naturally produced by cannabis would remain banned.
Welcome to The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter. We’re Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi, covering how recent developments and policies in Washington affect your health.
Essential Reads
– The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will vote on holding Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt following his pleading of the Fifth Amendment.
– The CDC will soon have a new director, Dr. Erica Schwartz, confirmed recently by the Senate.
– Senator Gary Peters argues that Dr. Fauci’s use of the Fifth Amendment remains constitutionally protected.
On Our Radar
– The ongoing voting on Dr. Fauci’s contempt case.
In Other News
– Over 20,000 suspected cases of cyclosporiasis have emerged across multiple states.
– Missouri has been added to the national cyclospora outbreak list.
– New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act is now active.
– Efforts towards universal healthcare in California face challenges as millions lose coverage.
What We’re Reading
– Debates resurface over transparency and safety in gene-editing trials in China.
– Pediatricians diverge from Trump’s CDC on vaccine guidance.
– Moderna initiates the first human trial of the Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine.
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