hemp industry advocacy

The hemp industry has entered a critical and encouraging new phase. After months of uncertainty driven by proposed federal restrictions, the past two weeks have delivered meaningful momentum that signals a possible path forward grounded in regulation, not prohibition. For farmers, small businesses, manufacturers, and consumers alike, these developments mark a turning point that deserves close attention.

At Black Tie CBD, we believe our community deserves clear, timely updates on what’s happening in Washington and how these decisions could affect legal hemp, full-spectrum CBD, and THC-A products. Just as importantly, we believe this moment calls for informed, constructive action.

Momentum Builds After Historic Capitol Hill Advocacy

In mid-January, nearly 100 hemp farmers, business owners, and industry leaders traveled to Washington, D.C. for a coordinated fly-in organized by Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA) and supported by the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. Over the course of several days, coalition members met directly with lawmakers, shared personal stories, and participated in a high-profile press conference that amplified the industry’s message across Capitol Hill.

The takeaway from these meetings was clear: lawmakers are listening. According to coalition leaders, the reception was productive and bipartisan, with growing recognition that a blanket hemp ban would do far more harm than good. The focus has now shifted toward giving the industry time and certainty to implement smart safeguards that protect consumers while preserving livelihoods.

This advocacy builds directly on the broader policy shift we analyzed in our recent post, A Turning Point for Hemp: Breaking Down President Trump’s New Executive Order, which outlined how federal leadership is increasingly signaling support for regulated access rather than outright bans.

The Case for a Regulatory Runway, Not a Shutdown

At the center of the current push is proposed legislation that would provide the hemp industry with much-needed breathing room.

HIFA and allied organizations are urging Congress to pass H.R. 7010, which would establish a three-year regulatory runway. This window would allow lawmakers and regulators to finalize clear, science-based rules governing hemp products, including labeling, safety standards, and enforcement against genuinely unsafe or bad actors.

The goal is not to avoid regulation. In fact, the industry has been consistent on this point: responsible regulation is essential. What farmers and businesses are asking for is time—time to adapt, comply, and continue operating without the existential threat of sudden prohibition.

This approach aligns closely with the concerns we raised in Federal Hemp Ban 2025: Why Everyone in the Hemp Industry Needs to Take Action Now, where we explained how rushed legislative language could destabilize supply chains and cost hundreds of thousands of American jobs.

Protecting the 2026 Planting Season: Why H.R. 7024 Matters

Alongside H.R. 7010, another bipartisan effort is gaining traction in the House. Representatives Jim Baird (R-IN) and Angie Craig (D-MN) have introduced the Hemp Planting Predictability Act (H.R. 7024), aimed specifically at protecting the 2026 planting season.

This bill would provide a two-year extension of the current federal hemp framework, ensuring that farmers are not forced to make irreversible planting decisions under a cloud of uncertainty. With planting timelines approaching quickly, this clarity is essential not just for growers, but for the entire downstream ecosystem—processors, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.

The U.S. Hemp Roundtable has emphasized that without swift congressional action, uncertainty at the farm level could ripple outward, disrupting supply chains nationwide. In a recent floor speech, Representative James Comer (R-KY) echoed these concerns, urging colleagues to stand with farmers and support predictable, workable hemp policy.

Why These Developments Are a Big Deal

Taken together, these efforts represent a meaningful shift in tone and strategy at the federal level. Rather than debating hemp in abstract or reactionary terms, lawmakers are increasingly engaging with real-world impacts:

• The livelihoods of American farmers and small business owners
• The expectations of consumers who rely on hemp-derived products for wellness
• The need for clear rules that separate compliant operators from bad actors

This shift builds on earlier recognition that prohibition creates unintended consequences, including the growth of unregulated markets. As we outlined in The Hidden Federal Hemp Ban: What You Need to Know About the Hemp Act and the Future of Legal THCA, sweeping bans risk undoing years of progress made since the 2018 Farm Bill.

How You Can Support the Path Forward

Industry leaders are clear that this momentum must be sustained. Advocacy doesn’t end with a fly-in or a press conference—it requires continued engagement from businesses and consumers alike.

Here are concrete ways readers can help right now:

Contact Congress:
Take 30 seconds to tell your Members of Congress to support commonsense hemp legislation, including H.R. 7010 and the Hemp Planting Predictability Act (H.R. 7024). Messages from constituents matter, especially during active legislative negotiations.

Share Your Story:
If hemp has impacted your life or business, consider writing a short letter to a local newspaper or sharing your experience with local media. Personal stories help lawmakers understand the real-world stakes behind policy decisions.

Engage Locally:
Visiting or contacting your local elected officials can be especially effective. Bringing fact sheets, polling data, and letters of support from organizations like veterans’ groups reinforces that this issue affects real communities.

Stay Informed:
Following advocacy organizations such as HIFA and the U.S. Hemp Roundtable on social media is one of the best ways to keep up with fast-moving developments and new opportunities to take action.

A Constructive Moment for the Hemp Industry

What makes this moment different from past policy debates is the sense of alignment beginning to emerge. Farmers, businesses, consumer advocates, and a growing number of lawmakers are converging around a shared principle: hemp should be regulated responsibly, not banned outright.

At Black Tie CBD, we view these updates as a positive step toward a durable, bipartisan solution—one that protects consumers, respects American agriculture, and allows compliant companies to continue serving their communities.

The momentum is real. The opportunity is here. With continued engagement and thoughtful advocacy, the hemp industry has a chance to shape a future built on clarity, safety, and access.

We’ll continue to monitor these developments closely and share updates as they unfold. In the meantime, thank you for standing with the hemp community and supporting responsible policy that protects American jobs, farms, and consumers.