The funding package approved late Monday by the U.S. Senate to end the federal government shutdown includes a provision that would have a profound impact on the sale of cannabis-based intoxicants.
Prohibition of cannabis in the US
Hemp was legalized in 2018 under the Farm Bill, but the new funding measure recriminalizes some cannabis-derived intoxicants. According to The Hill, the provision “prevents the unregulated sale of intoxicating cannabis-based or hemp-derived products, including Delta-8, online, at gas stations and convenience stores, while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products,” as stated in an official summary provided by the Senate Appropriations Committee.
When the measure to criminalize cannabis came to light, Senator Rand Paul strongly opposed it. He introduced an amendment to remove it from the bill, but only two senators—Paul and Ted Cruz—voted for it, and the amendment failed.
“The bill as it stands exceeds the regulatory frameworks of several states, overrides the collective decisions of cannabis consumers and destroys the livelihoods of cannabis growers,” Senator Paul said on the Senate floor, according to The Hill. “And it couldn’t have come at a worse time for American farmers. Times are tough for our farmers,” he added.
The Hill also reported that the cannabis industry was caught off guard by the sudden legislation and worried about its impact.
The Hemp Industry in the US
According to The New York Post, the US cannabis industry is worth $28 billion. This provision could result in a loss of up to $1.5 billion in tax revenue. There is also a fear that 80% of the income of manufacturers and producers of these products will be wiped out.
The number of jobs lost is difficult to specify, but it is likely to be in the hundreds of thousands, according to a New York Post article. Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Colorado and Oregon will bear the brunt of this measure, the publication said.
The funding restoration bill that passed the Senate will now move to the House of Representatives.
Frequently asked questions
Is cannabis legal in the United States?
Currently, the law in the United States allows the sale of cannabis-based products.
Will the latest bill criminalize the sale of cannabis?
Yes, it will re-criminalize it after the 2018 Farm Bill makes it law.
Who opposed the criminalization of cannabis in the Senate?
Senators Rand Paul and Ted Cruz, both Republicans.
