(NAFB.com) – Federal regulators are poised to overhaul hemp rules with a sweeping ban on most hemp-derived THC products slated to take effect Nov. 12, 2026. The change comes after Congress approved a funding bill in November 2025 that redefines “hemp,” restricting allowable total THC per retail container to just 0.4 milligrams — a move that could render more than 95% of today’s edibles, vapes and other hemp-derived cannabinoid products federally illegal. Under the new rules, even naturally occurring cannabinoids like delta-8 and THCA may fall outside the legal hemp definition. The FDA has been tasked with issuing guidance by early 2026 to clarify which cannabinoids and product formats will be restricted. Industry leaders warn the ban could devastate a $28 billion hemp marketplace, put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk, and force companies to reformulate or exit.
