Lawmakers Push to Block Cannabis Rescheduling, Hemp THC Ban Looms Ahead of November 12 Cutoff

A key deadline is approaching that could reshape the hemp market across the United States.

Starting November 12, only hemp products containing no more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container would remain federally legal under a revised definition adopted in recent legislation. The change targets a wide range of hemp-derived THC products that have expanded rapidly since the 2018 Farm Bill.

While the rule has not fully taken effect yet, recent activity in Congress shows that lawmakers are moving forward on multiple fronts.

Farm Bill: Support for Industrial Hemp, But No Relief for THC Products

The House recently passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) in a 224–200 vote. The bill focuses heavily on supporting industrial hemp, such as fiber and grain production.

According to the accompanying House committee report, lawmakers intend to maintain a clear distinction between industrial hemp production and hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

It introduces updates to state and tribal regulatory plans, including:

• New requirements for production classification
• Expanded sampling and testing flexibility
• Accreditation pathways for hemp testing laboratories

However, notably absent from the bill is any provision to delay or modify the upcoming THC restrictions.

Amendments that would have postponed the ban on hemp-derived THC products were introduced—but ultimately withdrawn or blocked from consideration.

The result is a split framework: policymakers are easing rules for traditional agricultural hemp while allowing stricter limits on cannabinoid products to proceed.

Appropriations Bill: A Separate Fight Over Cannabis Policy

At the same time, a separate appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2027 is advancing through, with the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies recently marking up the legislation.

The measure is scheduled for further consideration by the full committee in the coming weeks, according to congressional calendar materials.

The House Appropriations Subcommittee approved language that would block federal funds from being used to reschedule marijuana, directly pushing back against the Department of Justice’s recent move to shift medical cannabis to Schedule III.

That bill also continues long-standing protections for:

• State medical cannabis programs
• Hemp research initiatives

These provisions operate independently from the Farm Bill but reflect the broader regulatory tension surrounding cannabis and hemp policy.

Industrial hemp is being reinforced as a legitimate agricultural sector, with reduced compliance burdens and clearer regulatory pathways.

In contrast, hemp-derived THC products—many of which have fueled retail growth in recent years—are facing a narrowing legal window.

Unless Congress intervenes, the November 12 threshold could force a significant portion of the current hemp product market out of compliance.

For operators, retailers, and investors, the message is clear: the regulatory environment is not tightening uniformly, but it is becoming more defined, and in some cases, more restrictive.