Hemp THC Sector Battles Federal Ban Threat Amid $28 Billion Market

WHO:

ABC News - Nicholas Hohns, owner of Deutermann Farms in Clayton, North Carolina.

ABC News - Eric Zipperle and Jim Higdon, owners of Cornbread Hemp in Kentucky.

ABC News - Mitch McConnell, Kentucky Republican Senator.

ABC News - Kevin Sabet, CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

ABC News - Cory Harris, lobbyist for state-legal cannabis operators.

ABC News - Matt Swanson, co-founder of Drinkin' Buds in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

WHAT:

PBS - The hemp THC industry is valued at $28 billion.

ABC News - Congress voted to close a loophole in federal law that allowed the hemp THC market to flourish.

ABC News - The short-term government-funding bill signed by Trump delayed the effective date of the hemp THC ban from November 12 to December 11.

ABC News - The hemp THC ban limits the amount of THC in hemp products to 0.4 milligrams per container.

ABC News - The ban threatens to reduce retail revenues by $28.3 billion and displace 225,000 jobs.

ABC News - The industry is proposing to restrict impairing products to individuals 21 and older and limit THC content in packages.

WHERE:

ABC News - The hemp THC products are available in gas stations and convenience stores across the United States.

ABC News - Deutermann Farms is located in Clayton, North Carolina.

ABC News - Cornbread Hemp operates in Kentucky and sells products in 18 states.

WHEN:

ABC News - The hemp THC ban will take effect one year after it was inserted into legislation.

ABC News - The effective date of the hemp THC ban was delayed to December 11.

WHY:

ABC News - The loophole in federal law allowed unregulated hemp THC products to proliferate, leading to concerns about safety and competition with the regulated marijuana industry.

ABC News - Advocates for the industry are fighting to save it from potential elimination due to the ban.

HOW:

ABC News - The hemp THC industry is attempting to save itself by proposing regulations that would limit THC content and restrict sales to adults.

(UPDATED October 4, 2026 11:27 UTC)

The hemp THC industry, valued at $28 billion, is facing significant challenges as Congress has voted to close a loophole in federal law that allowed it to thrive, with a ban set to limit THC content to 0.4 milligrams per container. This ban, which has been delayed to take effect on December 11, threatens to reduce retail revenues by $28.3 billion and displace 225,000 jobs, prompting industry advocates to propose regulations that would restrict sales to individuals 21 and older. Key figures in the industry, including Nicholas Hohns from Deutermann Farms and Eric Zipperle from Cornbread Hemp, are actively fighting to protect their businesses from potential elimination due to these new restrictions.