Two federal hemp bills have gained new bipartisan support in the U.S. House, with one proposal focused on delaying pending federal hemp restrictions and the other establishing a national regulatory framework for cannabinoid hemp products.
The Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection Act, filed as H.R. 7212, received its seventh congressional supporter today, with Representative John James (R-MI) signing on as a cosponsor. It marks the bill’s first new sponsor since February.
The measure was introduced in January by Representative H. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), with Representative Marc Veasey (D-TX) joining as an original cosponsor. Other cosponsors include Representatives Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Eugene Vindman (D-VA), James Baird (R-IN) and James.
H.R. 7212 would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to create a federal framework for cannabinoid hemp products, including oral, inhalable and topical products. The proposal would establish federal standards for labeling, testing, manufacturing, product listings, facility registration and recalls.
The bill would also make it illegal for retailers to sell cannabinoid hemp products to anyone under 21. Labels would be required to include cannabinoid content, ingredients, warnings for certain populations, adverse event reporting information and access to testing results through a QR code or similar system.
The proposal remains pending in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The new support for H.R. 7212 comes as a separate hemp bill, the Hemp Planting Predictability Act, continues to gain support in Congress.
Filed as H.R. 7024, the measure gained its 34th sponsor this week, with Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) signing on. Like H.R. 7212, the addition marks the first new sponsor for the bill since February.
Introduced by Representative James Baird (R-IN), the Hemp Planting Predictability Act would delay implementation of pending federal hemp restrictions for three years. Under current law, the changes are set to take effect after 365 days, but H.R. 7024 would replace that timeline with three years.
The delay would give hemp farmers, manufacturers, retailers and regulators more time before the new federal provisions take effect, as the industry continues to navigate a mix of state laws and shifting federal standards.
H.R. 7024 has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. If advanced through committee, it would still need approval from the full House before being considered by the Senate.
