Congressman Barr’s Hemp Protection Bill Faces Resistance From Alcohol, Cannabis, and Prohibitionist Lobbies

A new legislative effort to regulate hemp-derived products at the federal level is encountering stiff resistance from an unlikely coalition of alcohol industry interests, state-licensed marijuana businesses, and anti-cannabis advocacy groups. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) is preparing to introduce the "Lawful Hemp Protection Act," which aims to replace a looming ban on hemp THC products with a structured regulatory and tax framework. This bill is seen as a critical move to safeguard the future of the $50 billion hemp industry and the livelihoods of over 475,000 workers, as the scheduled federal ban threatens to recriminalize many hemp-derived products after November 12

Barr outlined his proposal during a meeting with the Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA), emphasizing that his legislation would establish age limits, labeling standards, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight, while also subjecting hemp products to taxes managed by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). “We want to create kind of a level playing field with other adult beverages so that farmers will have certainty that they can sell into a mature marketplace with protections that achieves both what we want it to achieve—for safety, for targeting age-appropriate consumers—but also helping our farmers all the way through,” Barr explained, according to a transcript from the meeting

Despite the bill's intention to provide stability for hemp farmers and the broader marketplace, Barr acknowledged that entrenched interests are pushing back. Distilled spirits producers have voiced concerns about competition from hemp-derived THC beverages, while some marijuana businesses advocate for restricting these products to specialized dispensaries. “Distilled spirits and other adult beverage groups don’t want competition. That’s natural. But what we want is regulation and tax We want a level playing field. Competition and choice is something I believe in,” Barr said, highlighting his dual advocacy for both Kentucky bourbon and hemp products

The proposed legislation has also drawn attention from the White House, with officials recently providing Barr’s office with feedback and draft language to ensure access to full-spectrum CBD products while maintaining congressional intent to restrict products that pose health risks. The evolving regulatory landscape has left farmers and businesses in a state of uncertainty, especially as large retailers like Target expand their offerings of hemp THC drinks and industry groups such as the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America warn that a ban would simply drive the market underground. "A ban will not remove these products from the market—it will push consumers toward unregulated, online channels with no age verification, no product standards and no accountability," said Dawson Hobbs, executive vice president at WSWA

Barr, whose background is rooted in Kentucky agriculture, stressed the economic importance of hemp as a replacement crop following tobacco’s decline, and pointed to the potential benefits for consumers, including veterans seeking alternatives to opioids. “To the extent we can promote opioid alternatives or opioid avoidance and help veterans with anxiety or sleep deprivation or insomnia or post-traumatic stress, that’s exactly what we want to do, is to create those options for our veterans to take care of them,” he added. HIFA leaders anticipate the bill will be filed within the coming week, though the timeline may shift as more stakeholders weigh in and additional cosponsors are sought

From the OG Lab newsroom perspective, Barr’s legislative push highlights the complex intersection of agricultural innovation, regulatory policy, and industry competition that defines the modern cannabis marketplace. With the federal ban on hemp THC products fast approaching, how policymakers resolve these competing interests will have far-reaching consequences for farmers, retailers, and consumers nationwide. The outcome of this debate could set a precedent for how emerging cannabis sectors are integrated into the broader U.S. economy and regulated alongside established industries. This is a critical development for all stakeholders to watch in the coming months