Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has introduced legislation that would triple the legal THC threshold for hemp while tackling several regulatory issues that have been an issue since federal legalization in 2018.
The Hemp Economic Mobilization Plan (HEMP) Act would raise the federal definition of legal hemp from 0.3% THC by dry weight to 1%. The measure mirrors previous proposals Paul has introduced in past sessions of Congress.
The bill comes at a time when lawmakers are pushing to ban most consumable hemp products. The House Appropriations Committee recently approved a spending bill that would prohibit the sale of essentially all hemp-derived THC products.
By contrast, Paul’s bill would expand and protect the hemp industry. In addition to raising the THC cap, it would shift federal testing requirements. Rather than testing hemp flower within a short post-harvest window, the legislation would require testing of final products. Industry stakeholders say this change would better reflect product safety while easing burdens on small farmers and processors.
The HEMP Act also includes provisions to reduce legal confusion during transport. It would expand the documentation drivers can use to prove their hemp shipments are lawful, potentially reducing the risk of product seizures by law enforcement who mistake hemp for marijuana.
