The Senate Agriculture Committee has unveiled the latest draft of the 2025 US Farm Bill, introducing significant changes to regulations surrounding hemp production and usage. This long-awaited legislation, published every five years to fund farming programs, has sparked debates within the hemp and CBD industries.
The updated draft, led by Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, focuses on addressing a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill that enabled a grey market for intoxicating hemp products. These substances, derived from low-THC hemp, have drawn criticism for sidestepping regulatory oversight while competing with legitimate hemp businesses.
The new bill redefines hemp to include “total THC” levels, which encompass compounds like delta-8, delta-10, delta-9, and THCA. It maintains the 0.3% THC limit, ensuring stricter control over the production of intoxicating substances.
Additionally, it introduces a new category of “industrial hemp,” explicitly limiting it to non-cannabinoid parts of the plant, such as stalks, fibers, and seeds. This reclassification excludes plant parts used to create intoxicating compounds, effectively separating industrial uses from cannabinoid production.
In an effort to protect legitimate hemp farmers, the bill proposes a “certified seed pilot program.” This initiative allows up to five states or tribal governments to certify low-THC hemp seed varieties, granting participating farmers temporary exemptions from rigorous THC testing protocols.
Other farmer-friendly measures include replacing strict testing requirements with visual inspections and performance-based sampling. The draft also eliminates background checks for licensing, permitting individuals with prior drug-related felony convictions to re-enter the industry.
The draft has elicited mixed reactions. Industry advocates have praised its focus on consumer safety and regulatory clarity, particularly the efforts to curb the intoxicating hemp market. However, critics argue that the stringent definitions and restrictions could stifle innovation and harm businesses reliant on hemp-derived cannabinoids.
The controversial “Mary Miller” amendment, initially included in the bill, drew widespread backlash earlier this year for its potential to render up to 95% of hemp products illegal. The updated draft appears to address some of these concerns, but opposition remains.
With Congress unlikely to pass the bill before the current session ends in January, its fate rests with the incoming administration and lawmakers. The hemp industry, regulators, and legislators will continue to grapple with finding a balance between consumer safety, industry innovation, and regulatory enforcement.
The Farm Bill remains a cornerstone of US agricultural policy, and its final form will significantly shape the future of the hemp and CBD industries.
