Ted Cruz Explains His Vote To Keep Hemp THC Products Federally Legal In Historic First Senate Roll Call On Cannabis

OG article by Kyle Jaeger

November 13, 2025

In a landmark Senate vote on cannabis, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) joined Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) as one of two Republicans supporting a failed amendment to block a hemp THC ban in a spending bill. The Senate passed the measure, backed by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), which critics say would devastate the industry by prohibiting products with over 0.4 mg THC per container.

Cruz, a vocal critic of federal marijuana rescheduling due to rising impaired driving fatalities, defended his stance by championing states' rights. "I have long believed that the regulation of hemp and marijuana products should rest with each individual state," he stated post-vote. He warned that a federal blanket ban disempowers voters, creates unintended harms, and overrides diverse state policies. Cruz advocated for protections like age-21 limits, bans on synthetics, and testing standards, praising Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's regulatory veto of a full ban.

Historically, Cruz has supported state autonomy on cannabis, noting in 2018: "I think Colorado can decide one way. I think Texas can decide another." The vote split Democrats (22 opposed tabling Paul's amendment, 25 supported), with intra-state divides like Schumer vs. Gillibrand (NY) and Kaine vs. Warner (VA). Oregon's Wyden and Merkley backed Paul, as did Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

Paul decried the provision as job-killing, overriding 23 state laws and harming farmers amid rising costs. "Kentucky jobs are not collateral," he said, vowing to fight on. The bill heads to the House, amid backlash for dropping VA medical cannabis recommendations before Veterans Day. Advocates fear economic ruin for hemp markets.