Federal Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products Delayed to December 11

Congress has approved a delay of most provisions of a federal ban on naturally derived hemp THC products, pushing the effective date from November 12 to December 11, 2026. The U.S. Senate passed H.R. 6500 on August 8, 2026, by a 90-6 vote, with the House of Representatives giving final congressional approval on September 1, 2026, by a 370-48 vote. The new law imposes a 'total THC' standard, capping finished hemp products at 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, which industry estimates suggest will make approximately 95% of currently sold hemp-derived cannabinoid products federally unlawful.