USDA Seeks White House Approval For Changes To Hemp Farming Forms As Industry Braces For Federal THC Ban

OG article by Kyle Jaeger

January 28, 2026

The USDA seeks White House OMB approval to revise hemp production forms under the Domestic Hemp Production Program, collecting data on licensing, remediation, acreage, testing, and yields. Public comments are open until March 30 on these Paperwork Reduction Act updates. This occurs as the hemp industry braces for a federal THC product ban from legislation President Trump signed last year, effective November, redefining hemp to limit total THC (including isomers) and ban synthetics or non-natural cannabinoids for consumer use. Caps set total THC at 0.4 mg per container. Agencies must list natural cannabinoids within 90 days. Alcohol retailers via the Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition urge Congress to delay via the Hemp Planting Predictability Act for regulatory negotiation. Industry critiques note USDA undervalues hemp by flawed methods ignoring floral product worth. Trump's recent executive order reschedules marijuana to Schedule III and pushes hemp redefinition for full-spectrum CBD access, including potential Medicare-covered non-intoxicating CBD. Bipartisan bills aim to halt the ban, with polls showing strong consumer opposition. Kentucky's governor and veterans groups warn of economic and research harm from prohibition over state-level regulation.