Craft breweries like Indeed Brewing have turned to THC-infused seltzer as alcohol sales decline. However, a federal ban set for November 2026 threatens this booming industry. The $24 billion hemp industry faces a scramble to save itself as the ban targets products made from hemp with impairing effects.

The 2018 farm bill legalized industrial hemp cultivation, creating a loophole for beverages and snacks with THC levels that could get users high. Businesses exploited this by producing products like gummy candies, chips, and sodas with unregulated THC. Some states reported spikes in poison-control calls due to pediatric exposure to THC.

States like California and Texas are regulating or banning impairing hemp products. Minnesota legalized infused beverages and foods, leading to their popularity at liquor stores and small breweries like Indeed. However, a looming federal ban on hemp-derived THC threatens this industry, with significant job losses and tax revenue at stake.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell closed the hemp THC loophole with a federal ban that will take effect in November 2026. This move aimed to keep dangerous products away from children and protect the hemp industry for farmers. Some in the marijuana industry celebrated the ban, while others hope for regulatory improvements instead of eradication.

Lawmakers are strategizing to regulate the hemp THC industry, with some proposing amendments to remove the ban language. Minnesota senators are seeking ways to save the industry, suggesting state regulatory frameworks or using Minnesota’s strict rules as a national model. Industry experts emphasize the need for a solution before planting time next spring to avoid uncertainty for farmers.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: What a federal ban on THC-infused drinks and snacks could mean for the hemp industry