2026 Farm Bill Draft Would Reduce Regulatory Burdens for Industrial Hemp Producers

Source: https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/hemp/news/15817315/2026-farm-bill-strives-to-reduce-regulatory-burdens-for-industrial-hemp-producers

Overview

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson filed the 802-page Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567). It would let USDA, states, and tribes reduce or eliminate testing requirements and background checks for industrial hemp. Farmers can self-designate as ‘only industrial hemp’ (fiber/grain) or cannabinoid hemp. Markup begins Feb 23. Critically, it does NOT offer a lifeline to cannabinoid hemp farmers—aligning with the forthcoming intoxicating product ban.

Clinical Perspective

⚖️ 2026 FARM BILL: What It Means for Hemp

The 802-page Farm, Food, and National Security Act just dropped. Here’s the breakdown:

🔬 Industrial hemp farmers get reduced testing burdens

🔹 Background check requirements eased for fiber/grain

🔬 Self-designation system: industrial vs. cannabinoid hemp

🔬 Felony ineligibility period eliminated for industrial producers

💊 Delta-9 only threshold REMOVED → total THC standard

💊 No protection for cannabinoid hemp businesses

⚖️ Aligns with Nov 2026 intoxicating product ban

💊 Cannabinoid farmers get ZERO lifeline

Two hemp industries. One bill. Very different outcomes.

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