A group of 39 attorneys general from across the United States and territories—representing both Republicans and Democrats—are pressing Congress to shut the door on hemp products that get people high. The officials argue that recent hemp-derived products, like delta‑8 THC, delta‑10 THC, and HHC, exploit loopholes in the 2018 Farm Bill and pose public health risks.
The Farm Bill legalized hemp containing no more than 0.3% delta‑9 THC, but manufacturers have found ways to extract and modify cannabinoids into forms that are intoxicating. According to the attorneys general, this has created a patchwork of state laws and an unregulated market where products are being shipped across state lines with little oversight.
The coalition emphasized that banning intoxicating hemp products would not impact traditional hemp uses, such as textiles, food, and other industrial applications. Their letter to Congress urges lawmakers to clarify that any product capable of producing a high—whether naturally occurring or synthetically derived—is illegal, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Leading the effort are attorneys general from both sides of the aisle, including Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, and Minnesota. Their involvement highlights the bipartisan concern over the rapid expansion of these products.
While the attorneys general push for an outright ban, some industry stakeholders advocate for stricter regulations instead of prohibition. Suggestions include age verification, advertising controls, and manufacturing standards that could protect consumers without eliminating the hemp-derived consumable market entirely.
Congress is now weighing how to respond. Some lawmakers have suggested studies on state regulatory approaches rather than a full ban, reflecting a debate between public safety concerns and preserving legal hemp commerce.
The 39 attorneys general are clear: without federal clarity, the market for psychoactive hemp products will continue to grow unchecked, creating risks for consumers and challenges for law enforcement nationwide.
Dabbin-Dad Newsroom
