1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

I’m writing to urge you to oppose the language included in the FY2026 Agriculture Appropriations bill (starting on page 113) that seeks to redefine hemp in a way that would wipe out the vast majority of the legal, safe hemp-derived product market. This provision is being pushed by Rep. Andy Harris, who has repeatedly attempted to dismantle the hemp industry through backdoor budget riders. So far, these efforts have been rejected after strong opposition from farmers, small business owners, consumers, and a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Now, he’s trying again. These harmful provisions would destroy thousands of American jobs, devastate small businesses, and override the robust state regulatory systems that have enabled hemp to thrive safely and legally since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. Let’s be clear: the American people did not elect Congress to wipe out an entire legal industry- especially not one that supports rural economies, promotes innovation, and provides access to wellness-focused consumer products. I urge you to stand with hemp farmers, entrepreneurs, and responsible consumers by rejecting Rep. Harris’s renewed effort to ban hemp through appropriations language.