Senate Votes to Delay Federal Hemp THC Ban by One Month
A 61-32 vote tables a GOP push to keep the Nov. 12 ban, pushing it to Dec. 11 as Congress weighs regulation over prohibition.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 4 items across 4 sources · 9h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
The Senate voted 61-32 to table an amendment from Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) that would have preserved the original November 12 start date for a federal ban on hemp-derived THC products, effectively pushing the ban's start to December 11 as part of a stopgap government funding bill. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led the move to table the amendment, citing the economic stakes for hemp farmers and the broader hemp industry, which advocates say is worth more than $28 billion annually; the funding measure still needs House approval in September.
- Senate voted 61-32 to table Sen. Ted Budd's amendment, which sought to preserve the original November 12 start date for a federal hemp THC ban.
- The stopgap funding bill instead delays the ban to December 11, giving Congress more time to craft regulatory legislation.
- Sen. Amy Klobuchar led the effort to table the amendment, citing risks to Minnesota's hemp farmers and businesses.
- Hemp industry groups, including the Hemp Beverage Alliance and CANN, support the delay and are pushing for permanent federal regulation; the measure still needs House passage in September.
How it unfolded
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Analysis Industry reacts, path forward outlined
Forbes reported hemp industry figures, including the Hemp Beverage Alliance and CANN's CEO, welcomed the delay and called for a permanent regulatory framework, noting the funding bill still must pass the House in September.
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Reaction Local coverage on Minnesota impact
Minnesota outlets reported the delay gives Congress time to craft legislation protecting hemp farmers and businesses while addressing concerns about child-targeted packaging.
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Report Senate tables Budd amendment
The Senate voted 61-32 to table a bipartisan amendment from Sen. Ted Budd and about a dozen other senators that would have stripped a one-month delay of the hemp ban from a stopgap funding bill.
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Reaction Klobuchar and Budd respond publicly
Klobuchar posted on X that the vote protects Minnesota jobs and that she is 'not done fighting,' while Budd said he was disappointed the Senate 'chose to protect an industry that insists on selling dangerous intoxicants marketed toward children.'
- 40 weeks quiet
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Event Congress bans high-THC hemp products
Congress voted roughly nine months earlier to prohibit hemp products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC or other intoxicating cannabinoids, with the ban originally set to begin November 12, 2026.
What people are saying verbatim
“Good news: The Senate voted to reject an attempt to strip the hemp ban delay out of the funding bill.”
Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator (D-Minn.) · X (via Forbes) · Aug 7
“A federal hemp ban would wipe out thousands of Minnesota jobs. Our farmers and small businesses are already following strong safety rules — a one-size-fits-all federal ban ignores that. This buys us time, and I'm not done fighting.”
Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator (D-Minn.) · X (via Forbes) · Aug 7
“I am disappointed that the Senate chose to protect an industry that insists on selling dangerous intoxicants marketed toward children by delaying the hemp loophole.”
Ted Budd, U.S. Senator (R-N.C.) · Social media (via Forbes) · Aug 7
“We agreed to ban these drugs nearly 9 months ago, but clearly our fight to stop this scourge is just beginning.”
Ted Budd, U.S. Senator (R-N.C.) · Social media (via Forbes) · Aug 7
“The next chapter begins today. The Hemp Beverage Alliance stands ready to work with Congress, the White House and stakeholders throughout the country to pass federal legislation that is strong, sensible, reliable, and prioritizes public safety.”
Christopher Lackner, Founder and president, Hemp Beverage Alliance · The Hill (cited by Forbes) · Aug 7
“This window will give us critical time to craft a longer-term - and, hopefully, permanent - regulatory framework for low-dose hemp beverages. While the extension is not yet final, as it still must pass the House in September, it is a major sign of support and provides a way forward.”
Jake Bullock, Co-founder and CEO, CANN · LinkedIn (via Forbes) · Aug 8
Voices from the web unedited
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The Senate approved a temporary funding bill that stalls a national hemp product ban for 30 days, giving Congress time to craft legislation that safeguards Minnesota hemp farmers and businesses while addressing concerns about child-targeted packaging.
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Senate Votes To Delay Looming Hemp THC Ban https://www. forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/ 2026/08/09/senate-votes-to-delay-looming-hemp-thc-ban/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into Lifestyle @ lifestyle-forbes