Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced legislation on Monday to regulate businesses in the hemp industry. His bill is designed to allow commerce in the industry to thrive while protecting consumers and preventing problematic synthetic products from reaching the market. The senator introduced the bill on April 20, or 420, a contemporary slang phrase for a date recognized for marijuana and “cannabis consumption.”
The Hemp Safety Enforcement Act regulates and guarantees “the safety of hemp and hemp-derived products, preventing a looming federal crackdown from shutting down a thriving, multibillion-dollar American industry.” The bill is a bipartisan effort, cosponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), noted a press release issued by Paul’s office. The bill was introduced due to conditions in the 2026 agricultural appropriations bill, which restricts hemp products based on a new federal definition of “hemp.”
“The hemp sector faces extinction because of a provision buried in the 2026 agricultural appropriations bill that effectively bans most hemp products nationwide,” noted the release.
Paul said his bill is mutually beneficial because it regulates the industry to prevent harmful products from being developed and sold, while maintaining the availability of hemp products that the senator claimed help certain people with physical and mental ailments.
“Half the states have already set up their own smart rules, THC limits, age restrictions, and safety standards that let hemp farmers grow, manufacturers innovate, and consumers stay safe,” said Paul. “Washington shouldn’t wipe out those efforts or destroy jobs and access to products that help our veterans, our elderly, and families across the country. This bill gives states the freedom to regulate hemp responsibly while keeping dangerous synthetics off the market and ensuring products can move freely between states.”
Klobuchar echoed Paul’s sentiments. She cited personal accounts from people involved in the industry in her state who would endure immense economic suffering if a federal ban on hemp were permitted.
“I’ve heard loud and clear from brewers, farmers, and small businesses in Minnesota – a federal ban on hemp products will be devastating,” said Klobuchar. “Minnesota is a national leader in hemp products, and Congress should recognize that leadership and commitment to consumer safety. I appreciate Senator Paul for his continued partnership on this issue, and I will continue to push in the Senate for a solution that protects Minnesota’s small businesses and farmers.”
The FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations Act altered the federal definition of what is recognized as “hemp.” This change involved “changing the limit to a total THC concentration of less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis rather than only delta-9 THC.” The new definition also includes what is known as “industrial hemp,” which is considered “hemp grown for non-cannabinoid purposes.”
This change also included several exclusions related to the level of delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in products, such as: cannabis plant seeds exceeding a “total THC concentration of 0.3%;” products “with more than 0.3% total THC concentration” considered to be “intermediate hemp-derived;” and “final hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container.”
Additionally, the new federally recognized definition excludes “hemp-derived cannabinoid products that contain cannabinoids that are not capable of being naturally produced by the cannabis plant or are capable of being naturally produced and were synthesized or manufactured outside the plant.”
Industry experts claimed these changes could devastate the hemp industry. They are scheduled to go into effect on November 12, 2026. As such, numerous organizations have expressed support for the Hemp Safety Enforcement Act.
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“The U.S. Hemp Roundtable, indeed the entire domestic hemp industry, is deeply grateful to Senators Rand Paul and Amy Klobuchar for their introduction of legislation that would provide for the continued sale of valued hemp products in states with regulatory programs, despite the impending federal ban,” said Jonathan Miller, general counsel for U.S. Hemp Roundtable. “This legislation would provide invaluable protection for farmers, small businesses, and consumers who rely on these products for their health and wellness. Senators Paul and Klobuchar continue to demonstrate their steadfast support for this promising agricultural industry.”
“The Hemp Beverage Alliance applauds Senator Paul and Senator Klobuchar for standing up for the hemp industry,” said Christopher Lackner, founder and president of Hemp Beverage Alliance. “A majority of the states in the country already have a hemp regulatory framework in place to protect public health, with several other states currently working on creating their own regulations. This commonsense bill will allow those states to continue building a flourishing hemp market that creates jobs and generates much-needed tax revenue.”