Speaker Johnson Says Quiet Part Out Loud, Congress CAN Reverse Hemp Ban | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is employing a legislative tactic in Congress to reverse language surrounding Senators' ability to sue over phone records. Congress has no reason that they could not replicate their efforts to revoke the phone record revision and undo the industry-killing language in the government funding bill poised to destroy the legal hemp market nationwide.

    The Speaker announced he will fast-track efforts to remove this language onto the suspension calendar. The Speaker should simply duplicate Congress's efforts on the phone record provision and remove the damaging hemp provision before it takes effect next year.

    With 72% of Americans supporting a legal and regulated hemp market, immediate action could protect against the devastation that comes from prohibition, including driving consumers towards untested, black market products, killing over 325,000 jobs, and harming American farmers and small businesses.

    "Speaker Johnson has the opportunity to give peace of mind to thousands of farmers and business owners across America by fast-tracking the removal of the anti-hemp provision in the government funding package," said HIFA Executive Director Brian Swensen. "Doing so will allow the hemp industry to establish a responsible regulatory framework that benefits consumers, farmers, and regulators alike."

    Removing the provision would allow Congress to implement real safety solutions put forward by the hemp industry, including:

• Restricting the sale and possession of hemp products to adults 21+
• Mandating robust manufacturing standards and independent, third-party lab testing
• Adopting uniform labeling requirements to empower and inform consumers
• Establishing packaging standards to eliminate "look-alike" products and prevent marketing to minors

    Smart regulation - not prohibition - is what keeps families safe. HIFA urges Congress to heed the clear will of its constituents and keep hemp legal and responsibly regulated.


   Contact: Hemp Industry & Farmers of America
   Email: media@hifa.health