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The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold its Member Day Hearing this Friday, December 12, 2025. This once-a-year session invites Representatives from across the country to speak directly about the issues that matter most in their districts. Hemp needs to be on that list.

As we head into the final weeks of 2025, the biggest threat to hemp is not coming only from the states. In Washington, several lawmakers are still pushing for federal language that would ban most hemp-derived products nationwide.

Their seminar, “Reality Check: Federal Threats and Upcoming State Fights,” broke down what is coming, what is already in motion, and what every company needs to understand if this industry is going to survive the next two years. JD and Drew stressed that Washington responds to unity, resources, and simple, defensible messaging.

A new congressional funding package aimed at reopening the federal government now includes a provision that would dramatically reshape the legal hemp market. For small business owners, farmers, and retailers working under the promise of the 2018 Farm Bill, the stakes could not be higher.

We’ve fought this fight before, and we’ll fight it again because the future of hemp is on the line. While headlines focus on the government “shutdown,” Congress is quietly advancing legislation that would eliminate the legal hemp industry nationwide. Buried deep inside a federal funding package is Section 759 of the House FY26 Agriculture–FDA Appropriations bill, a dangerous clause that would rewrite the legal definition of hemp and wipe out nearly every product on the market today. This provision would: Undo the 2018 Farm Bill, invalidating compliant hemp genetics Ban state-regulated hemp products, even in programs with strict testing and labeling standards Cut off markets for American farmers who rely on hemp as a profitable crop Destroy more than 300,000 jobs across manufacturing, retail, and agriculture Let’s be clear, this isn’t about safety. It’s about control.  Instead of addressing FDA’s years-long failure to regulate hemp properly, a handful of lawmakers are trying to hand the market to a few well-funded marijuana corporations while crushing small businesses and entrepreneurs who built this industry from the ground up. The Real Story Behind Section 759 Section 759 doesn’t fix problems. It creates new ones. By redefining hemp, it would make legal, compliant products instantly illegal even those tested, labeled, and regulated under existing state frameworks. It would leave consumers without access to the hemp products they trust and businesses without a legal path to operate. Every hemp farmer, retailer, and manufacturer in America would feel the impact. What You Can Do Right Now Congress has had years to act on FDA’s inaction. Instead of creating smart federal oversight, they’re trying to end the industry outright. We can’t let that happen. Take two minutes today to tell Congress to remove Section 759 from the federal appropriations bill. Your voice matters and your action could be the difference between a thriving hemp economy and a total shutdown. 👉 ACT NOW: Stop the Federal Hemp Ban AHAA is standing with farmers, retailers, and consumers across the country to protect the future of hemp. Together, we can make sure lawmakers hear it loud and clear:Hemp is here to stay, and Americans won’t stand by while Washington tries to take it away.

Ohio’s hemp industry now finds itself in the crosshairs of both executive orders and sweeping legislative proposals. Let’s push back. Hold lawmakers accountable. The road ahead is uncertain but our voices can make the difference.

For centuries, hemp has been an American agricultural staple, valued for its fiber, food, and wellness benefits. Yet because of outdated laws and fear-driven narratives, hemp was lumped into marijuana prohibition and driven out of legitimate commerce for decades. Now is the time to replace outdated fears with evidence-based policies that protect consumers and strengthen the hemp industry. Anything less simply repeats the failures of the past.

The hemp industry faces its greatest existential threat since prohibition. Hidden within the FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations Bill lies language that could eliminate legal hemp products overnight—not through public debate, but through bureaucratic sleight of hand. This legislation threatens jobs, tax revenue, and consumer access to safe alternatives, all while benefiting corporate marijuana monopolies. Time is running out to act.