As lawmakers prepare to once again take up large-scale agriculture legislation in the new session, congressional researchers are providing an overview of the policy landscape around hemp—emphasizing the divides around various cannabis-related proposals among legislators, stakeholders and advocates.
In a report from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) that was published this month, analysts discussed the economic conditions surrounding the hemp industry and different relevant considerations for lawmakers who are expected to take up the Farm Bill again this year.
"Hemp industry priorities for the next farm bill vary by national and regional groups, often with diverging policy goals and priorities, thus complicating policymaking," CRS said. "These priorities often are tied to the primary hemp products a group produces and/or represents or to the part of the hemp plant used."
To that point, hemp interests are especially focused on how Congress will navigate an emerging issue concerning rules for intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoid products such as delta-8 THC. Last year, there were several attempts to impose strict restrictions on such products at the state and federal level.
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