Crony Capitalism

The White House's Push To Pause the Hemp Ban Smells Like Cronyism

The ban would gut a growing industry, but the Trump administration’s position isn’t a principled stand against prohibition.

Tosin Akintola | 8.7.2026 1:48 PM

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Senate Republicans' plan to pass a stopgap funding bill has hit a snafu: hemp. 

A provision in the chamber's continuing resolution would pause the upcoming ban on the sale of any "hemp-derived cannabinoid product" with over 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container until December 11.

Its inclusion has led to a "deadlock" amongst Senate Republicans, with no path to reconciliation on the issue, according to The New York Times. Set to take effect in November, the ban is the brainchild of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R–Ky.), who was an early champion of hemp but later became a fierce critic of its psychoactive derivatives, which he described as "more potent than marijuana." 

Now the White House is placing its thumb on the scale to get the provision added. 

Pleading his case during a phone call with senators on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said his administration is "working on........

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