1. United States
2. S.C.
3. Letter

Senator Ted Budd has threatened to introduce an amendment that would remove the hemp ban moratorium extension from the Continuing Resolution. I respectfully urge you to oppose Senator Ted Budd’s proposed amendment, as well as any similar amendment that would strike the temporary extension included in the CR. This extension is not a permanent policy change. Rather, it provides Congress with a brief window to develop a thoughtful, long-term hemp solution instead of allowing a sweeping federal hemp ban to take effect before those discussions are complete. Please understand that such a ban would eliminate an estimated 95% of the current hemp marketplace, including many non-intoxicating CBD products that consumers rely on every day. Importantly, there is data to suggest that 80% of voters across the country are opposed to a ban on hemp products. The result would be significant job losses, financial harm to farmers and small businesses, and reduced access to products that millions of Americans use and depend upon. Like Senator Budd, I believe intoxicating hemp products should not be marketed or sold to children. The hemp industry supports strong age restrictions, child-resistant packaging, responsible labeling, and meaningful enforcement against bad actors. The temporary extension is essential because it gives Congress the time needed to put those protections in place through a comprehensive regulatory framework instead of allowing an overly broad ban to take effect before that work is complete. Removing the extension would: · Cut short ongoing bipartisan negotiations. · Create unnecessary disruption for American farmers, manufacturers, retailers, and small businesses. · Jeopardize thousands of jobs while Congress is still actively working toward a long-term legislative solution. · Promote the sale of black market synthetic products from China which are explicitly prohibited in the current CR language. Voting NO on Senator Budd's proposed amendment is a vote to give Congress the time necessary to enact responsible, science-based regulations that keep synthetic, intoxicating products out of the hands of minors while preserving a lawful hemp industry that supports American agriculture and small businesses. Please oppose Senator Budd's amendment, and any similar effort, to remove the hemp extension from the Continuing Resolution.