News · USA
According to Marijuana Moment, alcohol industry lobbyists urged state attorneys general to back a federal hemp ban on intoxicating hemp products. With the deadline now set for 11 December 2026, the fight over ban versus regulation is far from over.
Key points
- Alcohol lobbyists reportedly urged attorneys general to ask Congress to keep the federal hemp ban.
- Congress moved the ban's start date to 11 December 2026 (it was 12 November 2026).
- Lawmakers are split between a full ban and a regulated, tested, age-restricted market.
A new report puts the federal hemp ban back in the spotlight. It is US news, but it shapes how the wider hemp industry is discussed, including here in Europe.
What the report says about the federal hemp ban
According to Marijuana Moment, lobbyists for big alcohol companies urged state attorneys general to sign a letter. The letter asks Congress to keep the federal ban on hemp-derived THC products. The report names Anheuser-Busch, Molson Coors and Diageo among the industry players involved.
Politico obtained a set of emails, as relayed by Marijuana Moment. They show Todd Kranda, who worked for Anheuser-Busch, writing in July to North Dakota’s attorney general about extending the delay of the ban.
The attorneys general letter
In August 2026, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley joined 34 other attorneys general from states and territories, per Marijuana Moment. Their bipartisan letter asks federal lawmakers to reject any attempt to delay, repeal or weaken the ban.
How we got to the hemp ban date
- The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp derivatives legal federally if they stay under 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis.
- On 12 November 2025, President Trump signed legislation that redefined hemp. Only products with up to 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container stay legal.
- On 2 September 2026, Congress passed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2027. It pushed the start of the ban to 11 December 2026.
Both dates come from Marijuana Moment and Yahoo. Marijuana Moment adds that synthetic cannabinoids a Cannabis sativa L. plant cannot naturally produce face recriminalization on 12 November.
Regulation or ban: the hemp industry’s split
Marijuana Moment reports that Trump and White House officials have repeatedly urged Congress to delay, change or reverse the ban in recent months. Rep. Morgan Griffith hopes his hemp regulation bill can ride on a budget reconciliation package before 11 December. He says, per the outlet, that a complete federal stop is not realistic. He argues for third-party testing and age limits instead.
Meanwhile, Herb Light, a low-dose THC drink company, launched a promotion that lets customers send a six-pack to members of Congress with a letter of support, according to the same report.
A small business view
Yahoo covers Moon Flower Hemp in Buckhannon, West Virginia, run by sisters Macie and Riley Queen. The shop has operated for 3.5 years and could close if the rules take effect. The sisters travelled to both state and US capitols to argue for regulation, not elimination. Riley Queen says there are bad actors in the industry, which is why it favours rules.
What this changes for you
If you shop in Europe, nothing here changes the rules where you live. US federal law does not apply to EU consumers.
It could still matter indirectly. Debates about intoxicating hemp products and testing standards often echo across borders, and European lawmakers sometimes watch them. That is only a possibility, not a forecast. For the latest on what we sell, browse our full product range.
If you want a grounded read on how hemp-derived cannabinoids work, our hemp hash guide is a good start. Every Spliff product is lab-tested: THC content below 0.3% (0% for vapes and pods). The lab analysis of each batch is available on request from customer service.
What happens next
Congress must act before 11 December 2026. It can keep the ban or build a regulation and tax system. Griffith hopes to use the lame-duck session after the midterm elections. Whether lawmakers change, delay or reverse the ban remains uncertain, as does the final shape of any alternative law.
FAQ
When does the US federal hemp ban start?
According to Marijuana Moment and Yahoo, the start date moved to 11 December 2026 after Congress passed the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2027 on 2 September 2026. It was previously 12 November 2026.
What is the new total THC limit in the US?
Legislation signed on 12 November 2025 limits products to 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, per both sources. The 2018 Farm Bill used 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis.
Does the US hemp ban affect European shoppers?
Not directly, since US federal law does not apply in Europe. Any wider influence on policy debates would only be speculation at this stage.
Sources
- Marijuana Moment — Alcohol Lobbyists Encouraged Law Enforcement Officials To Push For Federal Hemp Crackdown, Report Says
- Yahoo — West Virginia hemp business facing closure if new federal rules take effect
