Trump Administration Signals Openness to Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Legislation

White House Invites Legislative Action on Hemp Cannabinoids

The Trump administration told reporters June 10 it "welcomes the opportunity" to work with Congress on hemp-derived cannabinoid policy. The statement, first reported by CSP Daily News, marks the first public indication from the administration that it views the hemp-derived intoxicants issue as a legislative priority rather than a regulatory enforcement matter.

The White House didn't specify which congressional proposals it supports. No word on whether it favors a ban, age restrictions, or a federal licensing framework. No bill text has been released.

Regulatory Vacuum Persists Since 2018 Farm Bill

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp—defined as cannabis with ≤0.3% delta-9 THC—but didn't address synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids derived from hemp. That omission created a legal gray zone exploited by manufacturers of delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, THC-O, and THCA products sold in gas stations, vape shops, and online retailers without state cannabis licensing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration has issued no formal guidance clarifying whether such products fall under the Controlled Substances Act. The Food and Drug Administration has issued warning letters to individual manufacturers but hasn't initiated a rulemaking.

States Fill Federal Void With Patchwork Bans

At least 22 states have enacted restrictions or outright bans on intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids since 2021. Colorado, Oregon, and New York have integrated hemp-derived products into their adult-use cannabis frameworks, requiring state testing and licensing. Texas banned delta-8 THC outright. So did Florida and North Carolina.

National retailers face compliance headaches from the patchwork. States with no hemp-cannabinoid laws have opened the door to untested, unregulated products.

Industry Split on Federal Intervention

Licensed cannabis operators have lobbied for federal restrictions, arguing that unregulated hemp products undercut state-legal markets. The National Cannabis Industry Association and several state MSO trade groups have called for Congress to close the hemp loophole by amending the Farm Bill or passing standalone legislation.

Hemp-derived intoxicants sold without testing or age verification pose a public-health risk and erode consumer trust in legal cannabis, according to multi-state operators who face higher compliance costs.

Hemp industry groups have pushed back, arguing that new restrictions would kill a sector that employs thousands of farmers and processors.

No Timeline for Congressional Action

The administration's statement didn't include a timeline or identify which committees would take the lead. The Senate Agriculture Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee both have jurisdiction over hemp policy, but neither has scheduled hearings on intoxicating cannabinoids in 2026.

Congressional aides said in May that hemp-cannabinoid reform could be attached to the 2027 Farm Bill reauthorization. No draft language has circulated publicly.

What to Watch

Will the White House submit formal legislative recommendations to Congress, or wait for a member-led bill? If the administration drafts its own framework, expect it to surface in committee hearings by late summer. For full background, see the CannIntel topic hub on federal hemp-derived cannabinoids regulation.