AHAA Weekly Policy Report: November 5th, 2025

Overview

This week brings several updates on federal and state policy involving farm legislation, hemp regulation, cannabis laws, and THC oversight. A total of 19 new bills were introduced nationwide, with the most activity in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Ohio.

Farm Bill Highlights

Sustainable Agriculture Research Act – US HR 5854

This proposal promotes eco-friendly and climate-ready farming. It supports new technologies to help crops withstand extreme weather, encourages better soil and water management, and expands research on biofuels and carbon-saving practices.

FARM Act – US HR 5857

Farmers would finally be able to repair their own equipment without depending solely on manufacturers. The bill requires companies to share manuals, tools, and software needed for maintenance, which could cut repair costs and open the market to independent shops.

Support Our Farmers and Ranchers Act – US S 3058

Authorizes $20 billion in direct payments to help producers recover from lost income or poor yields. Payments would come from tariff funds and be distributed within 90 days once the measure becomes law.

Hemp Policy

Alabama – AL SB 1

Would limit hemp product sales to licensed pharmacies and classify psychoactive hemp compounds such as Delta-8 as controlled substances. It adds testing, tracking, and certification requirements, taking effect July 1 2026.

New Hampshire – NH LSR 2026-2255

Clarifies and updates the definition of hemp under state law.

New Jersey – NJ S 4821

Gives the Department of Agriculture authority to oversee the sale and distribution of hemp-based consumable products.

Ohio – OH SB 56

Brings medical and recreational marijuana regulations under one system. It simplifies licensing, supports applicants with past convictions, blocks local taxes on cannabis businesses, and tightens testing and labeling rules for hemp and cannabis goods.

Marijuana Legislation

Washington, D.C.

• DC B 26-0300: Extends outdoor dining permits and revises zoning limits for cannabis retailers.
  
  

• DC B 26-0345: Extends medical-cannabis conditional licenses from two to three years, easing renewal pressure on small operators.
  
  

Illinois – IL HB 4193

Strengthens the state’s Restore, Reinvest and Renew (R3) program, which funds community projects addressing violence and economic inequality using cannabis-tax revenue.

Massachusetts

• MA S 1685 / MA SD 724: Protects firearm rights for registered medical-marijuana patients.
  
  

• MA S 95 / MA SD 2433: Modernizes labeling requirements with clear symbols, health warnings, and ingredient details.
  
  

New Hampshire

• NH LSR 2026-2041: Revises medical-cannabis oversight board reporting.
  
  

• NH LSR 2026-2252: Affirms firearm rights for therapeutic-cannabis patients.
  
  

• NH LSR 2026-3012: Legalizes limited personal possession of cannabis.
  
  

New Jersey – NJ S 4779

Moves cannabis oversight to the Department of Law and Public Safety, giving State Police added enforcement powers. The plan supports microbusiness licenses, funds equity programs, and creates a Cannabis Regulatory and Enforcement Fund for local reinvestment.

New York – NY S 8552

Prohibits cannabis advertising on TV, radio, billboards, and internet pop-ups, aiming to keep marketing away from minors and remove misleading promotions.

Wisconsin – WI AB 547

Establishes a tightly managed medical-cannabis system. Dispensaries must employ pharmacists, record all sales in the state’s drug-monitoring database, and sell only to registered patients.
The measure also protects renters who use medical cannabis but leaves workplace drug policies up to employers.

THC and Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids

Michigan

• MI HB 5134: Bans recreational-marijuana billboard ads and adds strict labeling, THC limits, and child-resistant packaging.
  
  

• MI HB 5135: Extends the same billboard ban to medical-marijuana businesses and sets new health and safety rules for edible products.
  
  

Wisconsin – WI AB 606

Creates a regulatory system for hemp-derived cannabinoid (HDC) products.
It renames the alcohol division to the Division of Intoxicating Products, introduces an occupational tax, requires testing and child-safe packaging, and limits sales to verified adults.
The bill’s intent is to balance public safety with industry accountability.

Summary

Lawmakers across the country are tightening rules to make hemp and cannabis products safer and more transparent, giving small businesses and farmers a fairer shot, and ensuring consumers know exactly what they’re buying.

Expect more debate on labeling, advertising, and equity measures as these proposals move through state and federal legislatures.

Take Action Now

Policies like these shape the future of our industry, don’t stay on the sidelines. Contact your state representatives today and let them know where you stand on hemp and cannabis reform.