Washington DC — U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today reintroduced legislation that would return hemp to the market and create national safety standards for hemp-derived products, keep these products out of the hands of children, and ban unsafe, untested hemp products.
Reintroduction of the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) follows passage of last month’s government funding bill containing a provision to outlaw hemp products nationwide. Wyden has long pressed for common-sense consumer regulations and protections instead of a one-size-fits-all approach that does nothing to protect kids or consumers from unsafe or untested hemp products.
“There’s no question that more needs to be done to protect kids and consumers from unsafe, untested hemp products,” Wyden said. “We learned from the failed war on drugs that a one-size-fits all approach banning hemp products from the market outright does nothing to protect kids and consumers, and will be a gut-punch to thousands of jobs and small businesses across the country. My legislation takes the thoughtful and measured approach necessary to implement strong consumer protection regulations while fostering growth and innovation in this growing industry.”
“A blanket ban on hemp harms research and the entire industry. That’s why I spearheaded a bipartisan effort to remove such a ban from recently becoming law,” said Merkley. “Instead, the FDA must establish clear, commonsense guidelines—as it does for other foods, drinks, and products—to protect the health of all Americans and prevent children from purchasing these hemp products.”
The bill would mandate a minimum age of 21 to buy and set a serving size limit for intoxicating content in hemp-derived products where states do not have limits in place. The legislation would require that all hemp-derived products be tested for safety and manufactured using clean and safe processes. The CSRA would require truth in labeling, and would require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall or ban any hemp-derived products that contain too much THC, dangerous chemicals, byproducts or additives.
Following the legalization of hemp production and hemp-derived consumer products under the 2018 Farm Bill, the FDA failed repeatedly to regulate these products despite pressure from Wyden and other members of the Senate to do so. Wyden has long maintained that the FDA must do its part in monitoring the industry.
While individual states have tried to regulate testing, labeling and processing of hemp products, there is still no national health and safety standard for producers. This legislation would explicitly allow states to prohibit, limit or otherwise regulate hemp-derived products beyond the bill’s provisions.
The bill is endorsed by the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America.
“The hemp industry stands firmly behind Senator Wyden’s effort to replace confusion with clarity and prohibition with practical regulation,” said Jonathan Miller, General Counsel of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. “From the beginning, Senator Wyden has been one of hemp’s greatest champions, and this legislation reflects his commitment to responsible reform. It takes important steps to protect consumers, ensure products are safe and kept out of the hands of children, while preserving access to the hemp-derived products that millions of Americans rely on for their health and wellness. We look forward to working with Senator Wyden to improve upon this bill and secure its passage, creating a fair and lasting framework for this vital American industry.”
“The CSRA would take steps to establish an effective framework to regulate the hemp market by requiring products to be tested and properly labeled and outlawing synthetic derived products. This legislation would allow states to continue implementing their own standards while setting important baseline public safety standards and ensuring that these products are not readily available to children. We look forward to working with Senator Wyden to craft a comprehensive regulatory solution for intoxicating hemp products,” said Dawson Hobbs, Executive Vice President of Government Affairs for the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America.
“Hemp beverages are part of a major cultural shift toward healthier alternatives, and consumer preference is undeniable. However, we need a federal framework that treats these products with the same seriousness as alcohol. Responsible brands want clear guardrails: strict 21+ access, certified lab testing, uniform serving sizes, and a ban on synthetics. These standards will protect public health and allow legitimate operators to build a safe, long-term industry alongside beer and wine distributors,” said Ryan Evans, Co-Founder & CEO, Shift Naturals
“At Ablis, we’ve spent more than a decade building hemp beverages from the ground up, and we’ve watched this once-niche category grow into a major American industry supporting thousands of jobs and small businesses. To secure the future of hemp beverages, we need a federal framework that treats these products with the same seriousness and structure long established for alcohol. These aren’t burdens, they are essential standards that protect public health while safeguarding the businesses, employees, and farmers who helped build this all-American industry. With clear rules in place, legitimate operators can continue to grow alongside beer and wine distributors and ensure this category thrives for decades to come.” said Max Bendis, Co-Founder, Albis Functional Infusions.
“The Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA)applauds Senator Wyden for championing sensible regulations that keep products away from children, provide robust product testing and transparent packaging information, and provide a pathway for the hemp beverage industry to continue to thrive. Since our founding in 2023, the HBA has advocated for testing, proper labeling, sensible THC milligram levels, and age-gating of products. We look forward to working with Senator Wyden and other legislators to promote this legislation and ensure a thriving hemp beverage category in 2026 and beyond.” said Christopher Lackner, President of the Hemp Beverage Alliance.
El texto del proyecto de ley es aquí.
Un resumen de una página de la factura es aquí. A section-by-section breakdown of the bill is aquí.
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