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LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Bowling Green, said he hopes tweaks can be made to upcoming federal legislation that would change how hemp is farmed and sold in places like Kentucky.
Under changes to federal law enacted in 2018, hemp could be grown and sold if it contained less than 0.3% of the main psychoactive drug in marijuana — delta-9 THC. That allowed some producers to grow and sell hemp that contained other cannabinoids like delta-8 THC.
Kentucky hemp company warns new federal law could cost nearly 100 jobs
Under new changes set to take effect Nov. 12, the federal government would set limits on all cannabinoids, which could mean farmers who are growing legal hemp now would see their crops reclassified as drugs.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Bowling Green, tours the Galls Industries facility in Lexington Aug. 18, 2026. (Will Kenneally / Fox 56 News)
“The Kentucky state legislature came forward with laws to regulate hemp — for the drinks that have some of the THC in: you have to be 21 years old, you have to do it at a liquor store. I think those are reasonable regulations,” Paul said. “I’d like to let Kentucky regulate it instead of [the federal government] completely prohibiting it.”
Paul said he had put forward a proposal that would allow states to supersede federal regulation if they passed laws that regulate how residents can purchase hemp products.
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Kentucky has historically been among the top hemp-producing states in the U.S., in fact leading the country in hemp production during the late 1800s.
Paul spoke with reporters as he was touring Galls Industries in Lexington — a facility which helps make uniforms for agencies including parts of the federal government.
Members of Congress are expected to return to Washington in September.
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