2025 Federal Hemp Reclassification: Congress Moves to Redefine “Hemp” and Ban Most Hemp-Derived THC Products
By Cassia Furman, Shawn Hauser, Juliana Todeschi, Bridgette Nikisher
Nov 13, 2025
A new federal law has been signed, effectively banning most commercially available hemp products. Language included in the FY2026 Agricultural Appropriations Bill resets the threshold for federally legal hemp at 0.3% Total THC, as opposed to delta-9 THC, caps Total THC content for finished products at 0.4 mg per container, and prohibits synthetic or converted cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC. In this blog, we break down the key aspects of the legislation, including how it changes the definition of hemp, the timelines businesses should prepare for, and what this means for hemp operators, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers nationwide.
