‘Like I’m doing something wrong’: For NH man, medical marijuana has brought both relief and stress

OG article by Jessica Hart

December 5, 2025

Minnesota lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Port, met with THC beverage industry leaders to address a federal Senate bill provision that could ban hemp-derived THC products, potentially devastating the state's $200 million industry. During a tour of Northern Diversified Solutions and a roundtable, Port warned it would "decimate" businesses. Bob Galligan from the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild noted that of nearly 200 breweries, 70% engage in hemp, with THC comprising 15-60% of revenue for 10 guild members. The federal cap at 0.4 mg THC per serving contrasts Minnesota's 5-10 mg, rendering production unfeasible and possibly reclassifying hemp as cannabis. Galligan praised Minnesota's regulatory model as "world-leading," but stressed state licenses won't suffice federally, risking closures. Port advocates regulation over elimination, promoting the "Minnesota model" with bipartisan congressional support and Agriculture Department discussions. The changes, effective November 2026, demand urgent action before spring planting to protect jobs and innovation in this growing sector. The meeting underscores the tension between federal overreach and state successes in safe, regulated THC markets, urging collaborative solutions to preserve economic gains.