Hemp in the States: An Update on Legislative Efforts Now Underway

One of the most active lobbying groups in the industry, the US Hemp Roundtable is a coalition consisting of dozens of companies and organizations committed to safe hemp and CBD products. It advocates for "just, science-based laws and regulations that support hemp farmers and a sustainable, responsible industry—from cultivation to consumer."

The group champions "safe manufacturing, ethical distribution, and policies that protect consumer access to plant-based adult-use products, while keeping them out of minors’ hands," and even as it keeps one eye trained on Washington, it keeps the other eye peeled for hemp-related legislation at statehouses across the country.

In a February 3 release, the US Hemp Roundtable offered an update on 17 states with pending legislation related to hem-derived cannabinoids

States where the US Hemp Roundtable supports pending legislation:

Hawaii

Senate Bill 2102 would update the state's animal feed law to allow hemp-derived ingredients in pet, specialty pet, and horse feed beginning July 1, 2026 with registration, labeling, lawful sourcing, contaminant/THC limits, and GMP controls. Livestock feed must wait for FDA/Association of American Feed Control Officials approval. Hawaiians can contact lawmakers via the Roundtable's Hawaii Action Center.

North Carolina

Senate Bill 328 has already passed in both chambers and has few remaining hurdles before final passage. It sets a minimum age of 21 for hemp-derived cannabinoid products excluding topicals and certain FDA-recognized safe seed ingredients. North Carolinians can tell lawmakers to get this over the finish line at the North Carolina Action Center.

Virginia

Senate Bill 142 would strengthen age verification and stiff penalties for sales of tobacco and hemp smoking products to people under 21. A different bill that takes a punitive approach to hemp and marijuana, SB 543, is also moving in the legislature. The Roundtable is urging Virginians to tell lawmakers to oppose SB 543 and instead support SB 142. They can do so at the Virginia Action Center.

States where the Roundtable opposes pending legislation:

Alabama

Senate Bill 1 would criminalize intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta 8, delta 9, and delta 10 THC as controlled substances, effectively banning them in the state. It would allow only pharmacies to cell CBD consumables and limit CBD consumables to products grown from hemp in-state. Alabamians can tell their representatives to kill this bill at Roundtable's Alabama Action Center.

Indiana

Senate Bill 250 has already passed the Senate and is currently before the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code. The bill is a prohibitionist move in the guise of creating a comprehensive regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoids. It defines hemp as containing no more than 0.3 percent total cannabinoids (not just THC) and limits hemp-derived cannabinoids to 0.4 mg per container, effectively criminalizing most such products currently on the market. It would also ban direct-to-consumer sales, including both online sales and delivery services. Hoosiers can weigh in on the bill at the Indiana Action Center.

Mississippi

Senate Bill 2645 would impose an outright ban on beverages with hemp-derived cannabinoids. The good news is that this bill died in committee the day the US Hemp Roundtable released its report. But Mississippians can put another nail in the coffin and advocate for a regulatory alternative at the Mississippi Action Center

New Hampshire

There are two different bills for Granite Staters to weigh in on, Senate Bill 485 and Senate Bill 624. The former would create an alcohol-style regime under the state Liquor Commission with a strict 0.3 percent THC dry-weight limit. It would also ban direct-to-consumer shipping and delivery and would allow sales to people 21 and over at licensed retailers only. The Roundtable says it could support this bill if the ban on direct-to-consumer sales were removed. The latter would restrict access to hemp-derived cannabinoids with natural or synthetic THC isomers limited to no more than 0.3 percent of dry weight and counts all THC isomers as THC, which risks wiping out compliant products for adults. New Hampshire residents can weigh in at the New Hampshire Action Center

South Carolina

There are also two different bills to oppose in South Carolina. House Bill 4759 would cap hemp-derived cannabinoid beverages at 5 mg per container and limit the sale of THC beverages to gas stations and liquor stores, excluding other lawful channels. It would also impose prohibitively expensive licensing fees of $50,000 for manufacturers, $20,000 for wholesalers, and $1,200 for retail dealers. House Bill 4758 would ban the retail sale or importation of full spectrum hemp products, creating an effective ban on consumable hemp products. It would eliminate access to products that are already legal in the state and effectively kill off the state's hemp market. South Carolinians can let their legislators know what they think about these bills the South Carolina Action Center.

South Dakota

Senate Bill 61 would broadly prohibit non-medical hemp-derived intoxicants, sweeping in chemically converted cannabinoids and banning products synthesized outside the plant or containing more than 0.4 mg of any THC isomer per container; a near-total ban. No need to weigh in with legislators, though; this bill failed in a Senate floor vote on January 22.

Virginia

Senate Bill 543 would force hemp retailers into a punitive, marijuana-style licensing system with excessive fines and enforcement authority. Virginians can contact the Virginia Action Center to register their disapproval and lobby for lawmakers to support SB 142 (see above) instead.

States where the US Hemp Roundtable has not taken a position on a bill and says: No action requested at this time. We will continue monitoring.

Florida

Senate Bill 1368, Senate Bill 1678, House Bill 1409, and House Bill 801 all aim to move THC-infused beverages into alcohol-style control with 21+ purchasing, in-person sales at alcohol-licensed premises, local option restrictions, and bans on direct delivery. Definitions on caps for various cannabinoids vary, but the through line is that hemp beverages are regulated within the alcohol ecosystem.

Illinois

The Chicago City Council Ordinance last month approved a citywide ban on hemp-derived products with a limited carve-out for beverages sold only by liquor/packaged-goods licensees. This is a local control trend to watch that funnels beverages into alcohol-licensed channels.

Massachusetts

Senate Bill 2663, titled an "Act to regulate hemp-derived beverages like alcohol" would do just that, establishing a comprehensive system for manufacturing, distribution, sale, and taxation under an alcohol-style framework.

Missouri

House Bill 2765 and Senate Bill 993 would create a full three-tier system for hemp beverages under Alcohol & Tobacco Control, limit vertical integration, require hemp beverage retailers to hold alcohol licenses, and, under SB 993, impose a 7% excise tax plus consumer protections. HB 2765 includes a wholesaler residency requirement that could restrict market participation.

Nebraska

Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed an Executive Order on Synthetic THC last month tackling the recreational synthetic THC industry. Or so it says, but a close reading suggests it would ban any amount of THC in any hemp product.

New Jersey

Senate Bill 1418 would create a regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoid products, with beverages regulated by the Alcoholic Beverage Commission and other consumables regulated by the state Department of Agriculture. It would limit delta 9 THC to 0.3 percent dry weight.

Oklahoma

Senate Bill 2092 would add hemp-derived beverages to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, give the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission clear regulatory jurisdiction, and allow licensed alcohol retailers to sell hemp beverages. It adds "hemp beverage" to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, gives the ABLE Commission clear oversight, and allows retail spirits licensees to sell hemp beverages. The bill was referred to the Senate Rules Committee last week.

Wisconsin

Senate Bill 499 and companion measure Assembly Bill 503 defines hemp as including no more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight, and includes THCA, removing flexibility if federal policy evolves. Senate Bill 644 and companion measure Assembly Bill 680  would define "intoxicating hemp products" using strict thresholds that could criminalize reasonable adult products. Defines “intoxicating hemp products” using thresholds that risk sweeping reasonable adult products into prohibition. Senate Bill 681 and companion measure Assembly Bill 606 would create a regulatory system for hemp-derived cannabinoids to run parallel to the alcohol regulatory system. Finally, Senate Bill 682 and companion measure Assembly Bill 747 would set strict regulations for the sale, labeling, testing, and packaging of hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including age restrictions, product safety standards, and enforcement provisions. The Senate version of the bill passed out of committee last week.