Weekly Policy Report — December 10, 2025

Federal Outlook

At the federal level, the Farm Bill remains stalled, and that delay has created real uncertainty for hemp businesses. Several members of Congress continue to push language that would restrict or ban intoxicating hemp products nationwide by redefining hemp, limiting conversion processes, and expanding federal enforcement authority. Until Congress acts, states are filling the gap with increasingly aggressive rules, which is why we are seeing coordinated legislative activity across the Midwest and South. A federal decision is coming, and the direction of that decision will depend heavily on public pressure.

How to Take Action

Congress will only protect hemp if they hear from the people who rely on it. AHAA supporters can make the biggest impact by calling their representatives, signing our national petition, and sharing weekly updates with other consumers and business owners. The more voices involved, the harder it becomes for Congress to advance a federal ban. Staying engaged each week is the most effective way to protect access and keep hemp regulated fairly rather than eliminated.

State-Level Updates: Hemp & Cannabis Policy

Across the country, states are moving quickly to redefine hemp, restrict intoxicating cannabinoids, and reposition their cannabis markets before Congress updates federal law. Most of the activity this week centers on three trends: tightening the definition of hemp to include total THC, creating age-restricted frameworks for intoxicating hemp products, and expanding or restructuring medical and adult-use cannabis systems.

These changes vary widely from state to state, which makes it critical to watch how each proposal affects access, testing rules, business requirements.

Alabama — Pharmacies Only for Hemp Sales

Bill: AL SB 1

Summary: Consumable hemp products would only be sold in pharmacies. Many hemp-derived compounds may be reclassified as controlled substances. Strict testing requirements will apply. This effectively removes hemp from general retail, raising compliance costs significantly.

Link: http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2025-SB-0602

Washington — Simplify Hemp Program Fees & Testing Rules

Regulation update: Chapter 16-306 WAC Hemp Program

Summary: The state is replacing mileage-based inspection fees with a fixed “harvest certification fee.” THC testing and compliance rules will be updated to match federal (USDA) hemp standards. The changes aim to reduce confusion and make the hemp program more predictable and farmer-friendly.

Michigan — Clarifying Hemp Definitions & Expanding Oversight

Bill: MI SB 602

Summary: The bill updates how industrial hemp is defined under Michigan law, clarifies THC threshold rules, licensing, testing, and oversight — aiming for better regulatory clarity and enforcement.

Link: http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2025-SB-0602

Michigan — New Licensing & Oversight for Hemp Producers

Bills: MI SB 599, MI SB 600, MI SB 601

Summary:

• SB 599: Establishes licensing, testing, and regulatory requirements for hemp processors, brokers, and wholesalers. Annual fees and strict rules for identifying intoxicating cannabinoids.
• SB 600: Updates cross-references in medical cannabis law to align with the new hemp regulations.
• SB 601: Revises grower requirements — including registration deadlines, sampling protocols, and sales recordkeeping.

Purpose: To create a consistent and legally robust structure for industrial hemp operations.

Link: http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2025-SB-0599 (for SB 599; similar links exist for SB 600 and SB 601 in the state database)

Wisconsin — Multiple Bills Target Hemp Definitions, Age Limits & Packaging for Intoxicating Hemp

Bills: WI AB 503, WI SB 499

Summary: These bills propose rewriting the legal definition of hemp to consider total THC (including THCA). They would impose new labeling and testing requirements on hemp-derived products.

Additional compliance bills targeting intoxicating hemp sales:

• WI AB 680
  https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/AB680

• WI AB 747
  https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/AB747

• WI SB 644
  https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/SB644

• WI SB 682
  https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/SB682

Common requirements proposed across these bills:

• Minimum age 21 for purchases

• Child-resistant, opaque packaging

• COA (Certificate of Analysis) available through QR code

• Strict lab testing for total THC, including THCA

Medical & Adult-Use Cannabis Policy Changes

Washington, DC — More Local Control Over Cannabis Retail Licensing

Bill: DC B 26-0522

Summary: Expands the right of community groups and childcare centers to protest cannabis retail licenses. Also introduces new restrictions on internet-based cannabis retailers and clarifies retail location distance rules from sensitive areas.

Link: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B26-0522

Massachusetts — Protecting Gun Rights for Medical Cannabis Patients

Bill: MA S 1685

Summary: Prevents the state from denying firearm licenses solely because a person is a legally authorized medical cannabis patient.

Link: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1685

Missouri — Major Restructuring of Cannabis Laws Ahead of 2026 Session

Bills include MO HB 1897, MO HB 1898, MO HB 1903, MO HJR 103, MO HJR 106

Key changes proposed:

• Remove caps on number of licenses, allowing unlimited new facilities (so long as minimum standards are met) — HB 1897.
• Require state-funded colleges to permit medical cannabis use on campus — HB 1898.
• Expand where smoking/use is restricted (schools, childcare, etc.) — HB 1903.
• Constitutional amendments to broaden patient rights: allow home-grow, expand licensing, revise taxes, allow expungement — HJR 103 & HJR 106.

Purpose: Build a full adult-use + medical cannabis framework, increase access, remove licensing caps, direct tax revenue to public services.

Links: e.g. HB 1897 — https://www.house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1897&year=2026&code=R

New Hampshire — Poised to Legalize Cannabis for Adults 21+

Anticipated bills to be filed on January 7, 2026: NH CACR 19, NH HB 1235

NH CACR 19: Constitutional amendment to grant adults 21+ the right to possess small amounts of cannabis.

HB 1235: Legalizes possession of defined amounts of flower, concentrates, edibles; fines would go toward addiction-treatment programs.

Links:

NH CACR 19 — https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billinfo.aspx?id=1944&inflect=1

NH HB 1235 — https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billinfo.aspx?id=2224&inflect=1

New Jersey — Restructuring Its Cannabis Regulatory Commission

Bill: NJ S 4847

Summary: Overhauls the regulatory body overseeing cannabis (the Commission), defines conflict-of-interest rules, strengthens municipal controls, and increases enforcement against unlicensed operators.

Link: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S4847

New York — More Time for Cannabis Distributors to File Taxes

Bill: NY A 5496 / A 5496A

Summary: Extends the deadline for cannabis distributors to file tax returns — from 20 days after quarter close to 50 days.

Link: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5496

Wisconsin — Establishing a Medical Cannabis Program Under New Regulations

Bill: WI SB 534

Summary: Proposes a tightly regulated medical cannabis system. Includes a patient registry, licensed growers, pharmacists at dispensaries, tax exemptions for medical purchases, tenant protections, and clarified employment protections for patients.

Link: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/sen/bill/SB534

What This Means for AHAA Members

• The pace of state-level action is accelerating: regulators are redefining hemp, rewriting THC thresholds, and expanding adult-use and medical frameworks.

• Some states are making hemp and intoxicating cannabinoid rules more restrictive (Alabama, Wisconsin), while others are expanding access under regulated frameworks (Missouri, New Hampshire, Wisconsin medical program).

• The result is a more fractured, unpredictable regulatory environment — increasing compliance costs, limiting consumer access, and creating legal uncertainty for hemp businesses.

• That makes unified federal standards more critical than ever. Fragmented state-by-state laws threaten business viability and consumer access alike.

This is the moment to act.

Congress is preparing to make decisions that could redefine or restrict hemp at the federal level, and they are already hearing from industries that want these products eliminated. What they are not hearing is the voice of the hemp community. AHAA has formally requested that hemp be included in the upcoming Member Day Hearing, where lawmakers set priorities for the year. If consumers and small businesses do not speak up now, hemp will be left out of that conversation entirely. 

Send a message to House Members now

Contact your representatives, share this report, and tell Congress that hemp deserves a seat at the table. The future of accessible, affordable, legal hemp products depends on how loud we are right now