Bipartisan duo introduce bill defining regulatory framework for hemp products

Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Andy Barr (R-Ky.) on Wednesday introduced a bill designed to set up a clear regulatory framework for hemp and hemp-derived THC products.

The Lawful Hemp Protection Act would establish the first comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp products. Craig, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, credited her state with being the model “for responsible hemp regulation.”

“My commonsense legislation will give regulatory clarity to Minnesota farmers, brewers and small business owners and provide an alternative to short-sighted federal policies that threaten Minnesota jobs and consumer choice,” she said in the statement.

Barr said the legislation would bring “certainty” to Kentucky farmers.

“Kentucky has demonstrated that hemp can be successfully regulated while supporting farmers and protecting consumers,” he said. “This legislation builds on that success by creating a national framework that rewards responsible producers, eliminates bad actors, and ensures consumers have confidence in the products they purchase.”

Barr’s office told The Hill that the legislation in the House has the White House’s approval. The Kentucky Republican is hopeful that there will soon be a companion bill in the Senate.

Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) last week said a similar hemp bill in the Senate was forthcoming as a “bipartisan group [was] coalescing around the issue.”

“I’m optimistic that in a hyperpartisan time when it appears like we can’t get anything passed, this might actually be a subject........

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