Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) is pushing to change the federal definition of hemp, threatening the multibillion-dollar cannabis industry created by the 2018 Farm Bill. Here’s what you need to know.
In 2018, the bipartisan Farm Bill changed everything for hemp. Backed by Senate Republicans like Mitch McConnell and signed into law by President Trump, it legalized hemp at the federal level—defining it as cannabis with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC. This opened the door to a thriving legal market for non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD and even low-dose THC product
But now, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) wants to tear that all down.
Harris is quietly trying to rewrite the legal definition of hemp by inserting new language into the Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bill. If successful, this move could cripple hemp producers and retailers across the country.
Why is he doing it? Because Rep. Harris is a longtime opponent of cannabis reform. He’s the same lawmaker who blocked Washington, D.C.’s voter-approved cannabis legalization—twice. He still claims marijuana is a gateway drug, despite 88% of Americans supporting legalization for medical or recreational use (Pew, 2024).
Ironically, Harris—an anesthesiologist—is fine prescribing opioids like fentanyl, but wants you arrested for using a THC gummy to ease your pain or help you sleep.
Let’s be clear:
- No one is advocating cannabis use by children.
- No one is suggesting people drive high.
- And no one is encouraging cannabis use during pregnancy.
But 40 states have legalized cannabis medically, and 24 states now allow adult-use recreational cannabis. The science and public opinion are clear: Cannabis is safer than alcohol and many pharmaceuticals. Harris is out of step with voters, patients, and even his own party.
His effort to undo the Farm Bill isn’t just about hemp. It’s about imposing outdated, personal views on a country that has already moved on.
📢 Call your congressional representative and tell them:
Don’t let Rep. Harris roll back cannabis reform. Protect hemp. Defend the 2018 Farm Bill. Support common sense.
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