‘We’re keeping our fingers crossed’: Sen. Rand Paul teases bipartisan legislation to ease hemp restrictions

'We're keeping our fingers crossed': Sen. Rand Paul teases bipartisan legislation to ease hemp restrictions

---

Paul has been adamant that provisions placing strict regulations on hemp products in 2025's signature GOP tax and spending bill could kill the hemp industry.
To loosen those restrictions, Paul told constituents in a tele-townhall that he's working with Minnesota Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar to craft bipartisan legislation to remedy what he called a "disaster."
"Our hope is that she can get a vote in committee to try to attach this to the Farm Bill, so we're keeping our fingers crossed," the senator said. "But it's difficult for those in the hemp business right now because it's a crop. It has to be planted and if it's going to be made illegal in November, farmers are wondering whether they should plant it this year. They've probably already had to make the decision."
The new language would give states a way to circumvent federal requirements by passing their own rules to limit intoxicating products.
Without it, the limit on total THC per container will drop to .4 milligrams, an amount growers and sellers say is unreasonably low and will take many products off the shelves.
Proponents, including Sen. Mitch McConnell, say the change is necessary to keep the products out of the hands of children.