State attorneys general urge Senate to reject hemp ban delay

Thirty-five state attorneys general urged Congress on Tuesday to reject a Senate proposal delaying a federal hemp ban set to take effect in November, asking lawmakers to let the stricter definition proceed as planned. The attorneys general sent a joint letter to appropriations leaders opposing a stopgap funding bill provision that would extend the ban's effective date from Nov. 12 to Dec. 11. The 2025 hemp redefinition, championed by Sen. Mitch McConnell, limits total hemp-derived THC to 0.4 milligrams per container, eliminating about 95% of current products. Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita led the effort, saying Congress should not bow to special interests profiting from unregulated intoxicating THC products. Hemp industry advocates support the extension, backing a bipartisan bill to reform the definition while regulating bad actors.