State AGs oppose hemp item, Smith defends it

A coalition of state attorneys general has sent a letter to congressional leaders opposing a provision in the Senate government spending bill that would delay a law banning most THC-derived hemp products from going into effect until Dec. 11.

“We, the undersigned attorneys general and chief legal officers of our respective states, thank Congress for standing strong in November 2025 and closing the loophole in the 2018 farm bill that led to the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products throughout the country,” the group wrote. “Your action protected consumers, provided much-needed regulatory clarity, and preserved legitimate industrial, agricultural, and nonintoxicating hemp markets. We respectfully urge Congress to continue that leadership by rejecting any effort to delay, repeal, suspend, or weaken the November 2025 redefinition of ‘hemp’ and by ensuring that the redefinition takes effect as enacted and remains in place thereafter.”

But Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., said in a statement: “Adults should be allowed to have a THC beverage if they so choose. Minnesota has created one of the strongest, most carefully regulated systems in the country to allow the sale of hemp products. The initial ban set to take place was ill-advised and would have hurt both hemp farmers and Minnesota breweries alike.”

She added that she and Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., had secured the language to delay the ban. “While helpful to hemp farmers, brewers, and consumers, we still need to work towards a long-term solution that will allow for the industry to move forward,” she said.