The Future of Hemp: Why the Next Few Months Matter
- Levi Sellers
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Congress Has Provided More Time, But the Work Is Not Finished.
Thank you all for your support and efforts to reach out to your congressional representatives. Together we have achieved a step in the right direction!! LET’S KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM!
The U.S. Senate has included a one-month extension in its Continuing Resolution (CR), temporarily delaying the implementation of proposed federal hemp restrictions that were scheduled to take effect this November.
While this extension is encouraging, it is not a permanent solution. It simply provides Congress with additional time to continue negotiations on a comprehensive federal framework for hemp.
This next month will be one of the most important periods in the history of the hemp industry.
What’s Happening in Congress?
Congress is currently working toward a bipartisan, bicameral regulatory framework for hemp.
The goal is to establish clear, science-based regulations that:
Protect consumers
Provide certainty for businesses
Support American farmers
Encourage innovation
Preserve economic opportunities created by the 2018 Farm Bill
Rather than allowing outdated or incomplete policies to dictate the future of hemp, lawmakers now have additional time to craft legislation that addresses safety concerns while supporting responsible businesses.
Why This Matters
Since passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp has become an important agricultural and economic opportunity across the United States.
The industry has helped:
Create thousands of small businesses
Generate jobs in farming, manufacturing and retail
Revitalize rural communities
Expand consumer access to hemp-derived wellness products
Encourage investment in American agriculture
Many businesses, including ours, have invested significant resources based on the legal framework established by Congress.
Responsible regulation should strengthen these businesses not eliminate them before a replacement system is in place.
What Happens Next?
Over the coming weeks, Members of Congress will continue negotiating legislation that could shape the future of hemp for years to come.
Discussions are expected to focus on issues including:
Consumer safety
Manufacturing standards
Product testing
Accurate labeling
Age restrictions
Interstate commerce
Appropriate federal oversight
This is the opportunity to create lasting, responsible regulations that work for consumers, farmers, and legitimate businesses alike.
Why Your Voice Matters
Federal lawmakers consistently hear from large national organizations and special interest groups.
They also need to hear directly from Farmers, Small business owners, Employees, Consumers and Community leaders.
Your experiences demonstrate how hemp supports local economies, creates jobs, and provides legal products that many Americans choose every day.
Thoughtful, respectful conversations with elected officials can help ensure they understand how federal decisions affect real businesses and families in West Virginia.
Your Voice Matters More Than Ever
During the next month:
Contact your U.S. Senators and Representative.
Reach out to your State Delegates and Senators.
Speak with county and municipal elected officials.
Share your story as a business owner, employee, customer, or farmer.
Encourage support for responsible, science-based hemp regulation.
The more elected officials hear from the communities they represent, the better they can understand the real-world impact of the decisions before Congress.
Our Position
At SUSTAIN, we support:
Responsible regulation
Consumer safety
Product testing
Accurate labeling
Age restrictions
Science-based policy
We believe hemp should continue to be regulated in a way that protects consumers while preserving the economic opportunities Congress intended when it passed the 2018 Farm Bill.
Working together, we can help ensure the future of hemp is shaped through thoughtful legislation—not uncertainty.
Learn more. Stay engaged. Make your voice heard.
SUSTAIN
A Path to Wellness
Comments