ACCESS TO HEMP IS AT RISK!
WHAT CONSUMERS NEED TO KNOW
Federal rules affecting hemp access are changing, and enforcement of updated hemp definitions is scheduled to begin
November 12, 2026
These changes may impact the availability, formulation, and legality of many hemp-derived wellness products that millions of Americans use every day.
This page explains what’s changing, who it affects, and how you can make your voice heard.
WHAT CHANGED?
In 2018, the U.S. established a legal definition of hemp that removed it from the list of controlled substances if it contained very low levels of delta-9 THC. Since then, federal interpretations have shifted toward a broader definition that includes total THC calculations and affects how products and ingredients are classified.
Under the updated interpretation, some products that have historically been considered legal hemp may no longer qualify — even if they contain only trace levels of THC or are non-intoxicating. This change influences:
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how products are legally defined
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how plants and extracts are tested
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which cannabinoids can be included
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how products reach store shelves
THE RESULT
Many formulations currently on the market may face new restrictions or reclassification when enforcement begins in late 2026.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Consumers
Hemp products are more than “wellness trends.” For many, they are medicine, relief, self-care, and survival.
Those at risk include:
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People managing chronic pain or inflammation
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Veterans or trauma survivors using hemp for PTSD or anxiety
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Patients relying on hemp/CBD for nausea, sleep, chronic illness, or cancer recovery support
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Older adults using hemp for joint pain, sleep, wellness
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People living in states without regulated cannabis markets — relying solely on hemp
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Parents and caregivers turning to hemp rather than pharmaceuticals
When hemp-derived cannabinoids go illegal, it isn’t just a product that’s lost. It’s access to relief, to safety, to health, to dignity.
Jobs and the Economy
Hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoids are not just wellness products; they are part of a broader economic ecosystem:
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The hemp-derived cannabinoid market is valued at over $28 billion in annual consumer demand.
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This sector supports approximately 328,000 American jobs across farming, processing, manufacturing, retail, and distribution.
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In states such as Texas, the hemp economy has been linked to tens of thousands of jobs and billions in local retail revenue.
Shifts in regulatory definitions can ripple through entire supply chains, affecting farmers, small businesses, storefronts, testing laboratories, and more.
Public Opinion
Public support for access to plant-based cannabinoids remains strong. A majority of U.S. adults — about 70% — support legal access to cannabis in some form, reflecting broad acceptance of plant-derived wellness choices.
While hemp and cannabis are regulated differently, these trends show that most Americans view access to plant-based products as a mainstream wellness issue.
GRAPHICS TO DOWNLOAD & SHARE!
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW!
WRITE YOUR STORY
Write down how hemp supports your daily life. How does it help you or your loved ones?
SHARE!
Share on social media and in person why access matters to your health, stability or family.
CONTACT OFFICIALS
Share your personal story with local, state and federal officials. They need to hear the human stories and not just from lobbyists.
FIND YOUR REPRESENTATIVES HERE!
Get the names and contact information for the people who represent you on the federal, state, and local levels. https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
If access to plant-based wellness has made your life safer, easier, or more manageable, now is the moment to say so. Policies are shaped by the voices that show up.
A FEW TALKING POINTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
1. The hemp-derived cannabinoid industry supports more than 328,000 American jobs. A recent national economic analysis found that 328,000+ workers are employed across the hemp cannabinoid supply chain — including farmers, lab workers, processors, retailers, delivery drivers, designers, marketers, and compliance teams.
2. Hemp-derived products generate nearly $28.8 billion in consumer sales annually. These are wellness products Americans are actively choosing for sleep, pain relief, stress management, and mental well-being.
3. The broader economic impact of hemp exceeds $79 billion.
When including upstream and downstream businesses — packaging, testing labs, distributors, logistics, agriculture, design, and retail — the hemp-derived cannabinoid sector contributes over $79 billion to the U.S. economy.
4. Over 70% of hemp businesses are small, independent, family-operated companies. This is not a corporate-dominated space. It is Main Street, not Wall Street.
5. The hemp market serves millions of consumers who do not have access to legal cannabis. In many states, hemp products are the only accessible wellness option, especially for:
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seniors
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veterans
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pain patients
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low-income communities
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rural populations
6. Federal hemp restrictions may limit access for an estimated 45 million adults who currently use CBD or hemp-derived cannabinoids. Consumer surveys estimate that 1 in 6 American adults uses hemp-derived wellness products regularly.
7. The 2025 hemp definition threatens U.S. agriculture: over 90,000 acres of hemp farmland may lose commercial viability. Farmers who invested in genetics, equipment, and infrastructure now face extreme uncertainty ahead of the 2026 enforcement date.
8. Seeds and genetics — a multi-hundred-million-dollar sector — are at risk. The North American hemp seed market is estimated at $427 million annually, and many of these genetics will fall outside the 2025 federal definition.
9. More than 4,000 hemp retailers could close as enforcement begins in late 2026. Thousands of small stores depend on hemp-derived wellness sales for the majority of their revenue.
10. Hemp is one of the nation's fastest-growing wellness markets. CBD alone accounts for $6–$7 billion in annual retail sales, and minor cannabinoids represent the fastest-growing segment of plant-based wellness in the U.S.
11. Restricting hemp does not eliminate demand — it pushes consumers back into unregulated markets. Consumers will simply shift to unsafe, untested, or illicit alternatives, which creates unnecessary public health risks.
12. The law disproportionately harms vulnerable people who rely on hemp. Millions use hemp to manage:
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chronic pain
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insomnia
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anxiety
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PTSD
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menopause symptoms
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inflammatory conditions
Restricting hemp without creating alternatives removes support from people who need it most.
13. Keeping hemp accessible reduces strain on healthcare systems. Studies show that many consumers use hemp as an alternative to:
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prescription sleep medications
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anxiety medications
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pain medications
Reduced access increases healthcare costs and pharmaceutical dependency.
14. Hemp restrictions contradict federal goals of supporting small farmers. Over 75% of hemp farms are small family operations. Restricting hemp seeds and cultivars undermines U.S. agricultural stability and innovation.
15. Descheduling cannabis is the most effective long-term solution.
Hemp and cannabis are the same plant. A unified regulatory framework would:
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protect access
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improve safety
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support research
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protect farmers
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reduce enforcement costs
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strengthen economic resilience