Proposed Cannabis Ban in Funding Bill Raises Concerns
WASHNGTON — What’s going on here?
A proposed ban on cannabis could potentially eliminate the sale of many popular THC gummies, vapes, and even beverages. This ban is tucked into a government funding bill, and it might jeopardize attempts by lawmakers to resolve the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
The Senate is gearing up to vote on a comprehensive funding measure as part of efforts to conclude the shutdown. The proposed legislation seeks to prohibit online sales of hemp-based or hemp-derived products containing Delta-8 at various retail locations while allowing non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products to remain available.
Opponents of this provision argue that it would not just eliminate popular THC products but also jeopardize hundreds of thousands of jobs within the $28 billion industry.
Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is advocating for a vote on this amended bill in the Senate, following a bipartisan effort by seven Democrats to break a filibuster on the funding bill passed by the House.
However, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) has asked for a vote on an amendment to remove the cannabis ban, which has created some tension and led to claims that he’s holding up the funding package.
Critics warn that this proposal could drastically cut the revenue of hemp manufacturers by as much as 80%, threatening the viability of a $28 billion market.
Paul and members of the cannabis sector have voiced disappointment over Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) decision to incorporate marijuana prohibition, especially after McConnell had previously called for “deregulating marijuana.” They point to the 2018 Farm Bill, which allowed unregulated sales of such products.
Paul stated in a recent call that while they’re trying to move forward with legislation to reopen the government, he insisted they could either reach a resolution easily or face difficulties if they disagreed. He proposed launching an 18-month investigation by the Department of Agriculture into the situation across states.
Paul confirmed he had no plans to delay the bill and emphasized that the timing for the vote had been predetermined by Senate procedures. He claimed the current package includes unnecessary language unrelated to reopening the government, which he feels negatively affects cannabis farmers and small businesses in Kentucky.
A spokesperson for Paul’s office reiterated there were no delays in the process.
Meanwhile, proponents of cannabis restrictions argue for better verification of buyer identities, with support for prohibition extending from the White House to certain religious groups and representatives from the alcohol industry.
If the provision passes, it could seriously damage cannabis manufacturers, wiping out a considerable portion of their revenue and impacting states like Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado, and Oregon most severely. Concerns have been raised regarding potential economic losses amounting to up to $1.5 billion in tax revenue, as well as the possibility of a competitive advantage for foreign producers.
