Senate Rejects Attempt To Save Hemp Industry From THC Ban In Key Spending Bill

OG article by Kyle Jaeger

November 11, 2025

The Senate voted 76–24 to table Sen. Rand Paul’s amendment that would have stripped language banning most intoxicating hemp products from a must-pass spending bill. The provision redefines legal hemp to include total THC (not just delta-9), caps containers at 0.4 mg total THC, and bans synthetic or lab-made cannabinoids. Supporters (including Sen. Mitch McConnell and alcohol companies) call it closing a “loophole”; opponents warn it will destroy the post-2018 Farm Bill hemp market. The White House says President Trump supports the ban. The bill is expected to pass soon, potentially ending the current government shutdown.