Bipartisan lawmakers have introduced new legislation aimed at setting federal rules for consumable hemp products, providing an alternative to the broad THC prohibition that became law late last year under a spending package signed by President Donald Trump.
The measure, known as the Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection Act, was introduced by Reps. Morgan Griffith and Marc Veasey. Its release comes as uncertainty continues to surround the future of the hemp-derived products market.
The bill would permit the sale of consumable hemp products to adults aged 21 and over. The legislation reflects revisions made since Griffith circulated an earlier discussion draft last year, following feedback from regulators and industry participants.
Griffith noted that, despite long-standing concerns about the safety and legality of CBD products, federal agencies have made little progress in establishing clear rules. In a statement, he described the bill as a step toward resolving confusion that has left consumers unprotected and legitimate businesses operating without consistent oversight.
The legislation would impose several new requirements on manufacturers and retailers. Packaging would need to be child-resistant, tamper-proof, and designed in a way that does not attract minors. Labels would be required to list all cannabinoids contained in the product and include a QR code linking consumers to independent laboratory test results.
Companies would be barred from mixing cannabinoids with substances such as caffeine, melatonin, alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, or other compounds that could interact with or amplify cannabinoid effects. Facilities involved in producing hemp products would be subject to federal registration, manufacturing standards, and testing rules.
A key element of the bill is the creation of federal caps on total cannabinoid content. The HHS would propose limits within 60 days of the bill becoming law. If no final rules are adopted within three years, default thresholds would automatically take effect.
These include limits of 10 milligrams per serving and 50 milligrams per package for oral products with non-intoxicating cannabinoids. Higher caps are also included for inhalable and topical products and a 5-milligram-per-serving limit for products containing intoxicating cannabinoids such as THC, with a 30-milligram package maximum.
The THC limits are an increase from earlier drafts, though some industry voices argue the package cap remains restrictive. The updated bill would also give the Food and Drug Administration authority to order recalls of cannabinoid products and establish a new advisory committee to guide THC thresholds.
The bill would further require HHS to publish and maintain a list of known cannabinoids within one year and amend the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to create a dedicated regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoid products.
The debate over hemp regulation is unfolding alongside broader shifts in federal cannabis policy. Trump recently signed an executive order directing the DOJ to move cannabis to Schedule III under federal law and encouraged lawmakers to revisit the definition of hemp to protect access to full-spectrum CBD.
The administration has also signaled plans to explore a Medicare pilot program that would allow some beneficiaries to receive non-intoxicating CBD at no cost with a doctor’s recommendation. These developments on Capitol Hill are likely to be of interest to not just the hemp industry but also marijuana industry actors like SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL).
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