The bipartisan Lawful Hemp Protection Act has gained two additional cosponsors in the U.S. House, bringing the total number of lawmakers supporting the proposal to eight.

Representatives James Baird (R-IN) and Betty McCollum (D-MN) formally joined H.R. 9830 as cosponsors this week. Their additions give the bill support from four Republicans and four Democrats.

Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced the measure July 22, with Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) joining as an original cosponsor. Reps. Tim Moore (R-NC) and Marc Veasey (D-TX) added their names July 30, followed by Reps. Gabe Evans (R-CO) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) on August 20.

The Lawful Hemp Protection Act would establish a federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived consumer products while replacing broad restrictions scheduled to take effect later this year. The proposal would create separate categories for industrial hemp and consumable hemp products and establish a 1% total THC dry-weight limit.

The measure would prohibit synthetic cannabinoids in finished products, limit consumable hemp-derived cannabinoid products to those 21 and older and establish federal packaging, labeling and marketing requirements. It would also require consumable hemp products to be cultivated, processed and packaged in the United States.

The Food and Drug Administration would be directed to establish cannabinoid limits for finished products. The proposal would also impose a tax of 5 cents per milligram of THC in hemp-derived beverages and a 5% tax on the retail price of other consumable products containing THC.

Under current federal law, a new hemp definition is scheduled to take effect November 12, establishing a 0.4-milligram total THC limit per container that would remove many currently legal products from the federal definition of hemp.

Congress has approved separate legislation delaying most of those restrictions until December 11, with the measure now awaiting President Donald Trump’s signature. H.R. 9830 would provide a more permanent regulatory alternative.

The bill remains assigned to the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. It has not yet received a hearing or committee vote.