Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-07-22

Barr Introduces Lawful Hemp Protection Act to Protect Kentucky Farmers, Consumers, and the Future of the Hemp Industry

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This press release from Representative Andy Barr (R-KY) was published on 2026-07-22 and titled "Barr Introduces Lawful Hemp Protection Act to Protect Kentucky Farmers, Consumers, and the Future of the Hemp Industry".

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Barr Introduces Lawful Hemp Protection Act to Protect Kentucky Farmers, Consumers, and the Future of the Hemp Industry

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06) introduced the Lawful Hemp Protection Act, bipartisan legislation to establish the first comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived consumer products while protecting Kentucky farmers, enhancing consumer and child safety, and preserving the long-term viability of the domestic hemp industry. This legislation establishes a clear federal framework for the hemp industry by setting consistent standards for cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and labeling, while prohibiting synthetic cannabinoids in finished hemp-derived products. It also supports American farmers by only allowing hemp grown, cultivated, and packaged in the United States. To further strengthen consumer protection and child safety, Rep. Barr's legislation limits retail sales of hemp-derived consumer products to individuals 21 years of age and older and prohibits the marketing or advertisement of any hemp products towards children. "Kentucky farmers helped build America's hemp industry and they deserve certainty," said Congressman Barr . "The Lawful Hemp Protection Act protects Kentucky agriculture, safeguards consumers, and establishes a commonsense regulatory framework that allows this important industry to continue to grow while ensuring products are safe and kept out of the hands of children. Kentucky has demonstrated that hemp can be successfully regulated while supporting farmers and protecting consumers. This legislation builds on that success by creating a national framework that rewards responsible producers, eliminates bad actors, and ensures consumers have confidence in the products they purchase." "Minnesota became the model for responsible hemp regulation when it established a regulatory framework that complied with federal law and enabled local farmers and businesses to thrive," said Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), the lead Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee . "My commonsense legislation will give regulatory clarity to Minnesota farmers, brewers and small business owners and provide an alternative to short-sighted federal policies that threaten Minnesota jobs and consumer choice. I am proud to have worked with Rep. Barr on a solution that protects our farmers and small businesses while also keeping our kids and communities safe." "Reps. Andy Barr and Angie Craig deserve tremendous credit for stepping forward with a serious, science-based, and bipartisan solution at exactly the moment the hemp industry needs it most," said Jonathan Miller, General Counsel of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. "Their leadership on the Lawful Hemp Protection Act reflects a clear-eyed recognition that prohibition is the wrong path, and that American farmers, small businesses, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers deserve a workable federal framework built on responsible regulation. We are grateful for their willingness to engage stakeholders across the industry throughout the drafting process, and we look forward to continuing to work with them and their colleagues in Congress to advance a long-term federal solution." "Reps. Craig and Barr understand that this isn't a partisan issue - it's about protecting farmers who planted in good faith, small business owners who built legal companies, and consumers who deserve safe, tested, legal products instead of being pushed into an unregulated market," said HIFA Executive Director Brian Swensen. "We appreciate all the hard work that brought us to this point. This bill is a strong step toward establishing a proper regulatory framework." "Representative Barr's bill is a smart, bi-partisan, stakeholder-supported solution," said Christopher Lackner, founder and president, Hemp Beverage Alliance. "On behalf of the country's hemp beverage suppliers, distributors, retailers, and responsible adult consumers, we urge Congress to fast-track this legislation." "As longtime supporters of a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp products, the Midwest Hemp Council thanks Congressman Andy Barr for his leadership in bringing stakeholders together to develop a national market structure. The hemp industry is united in supporting an extension of the November 12 deadline that would otherwise recriminalize the $40 Billion domestic hemp market. An extension will give lawmakers the time needed to enact a regulatory framework that unleashes opportunities for American farmers, meets consumer demand, and protects public health and safety," said Justin Swanson, President, MHC. "The Kentucky Hemp Association thanks Congressman Andy Barr for his leadership in introducing a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp products," said Dee Dee Taylor, President of the Kentucky Hemp Association. "Kentucky has already demonstrated that a strong, state regulated market can protect consumers while supporting responsible businesses, and hemp has become a critical replacement crop for many of the Commonwealth's tobacco farmers. To preserve these hard-earne

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Barr Introduces Lawful Hemp Protection Act to Protect Kentucky Farmers, Consumers, and the Future of the Hemp Industry Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06) introduced the Lawful Hemp Protection Act, bipartisan legislation to establish the first comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived consumer products while protecting Kentucky farmers, enhancing consumer and child safety, and preserving the long-term viability of the domestic hemp industry. This legislation establishes a clear federal framework for the hemp industry by setting consistent standards for cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and labeling, while prohibiting synthetic cannabinoids in finished hemp-derived products. It also supports American farmers by only allowing hemp grown, cultivated, and packaged in the United States. To further strengthen consumer protection and child safety, Rep. Barr's legislation limits retail sales of hemp-derived consumer products to individuals 21 years of age and older and prohibits the marketing or advertisement of any hemp products towards children. "Kentucky farmers helped build America's hemp industry and they deserve certainty," said Congressman Barr . "The Lawful Hemp Protection Act protects Kentucky agriculture, safeguards consumers, and establishes a commonsense regulatory framework that allows this important industry to continue to grow while ensuring products are safe and kept out of the hands of children. Kentucky has demonstrated that hemp can be successfully regulated while supporting farmers and protecting consumers. This legislation builds on that success by creating a national framework that rewards responsible producers, eliminates bad actors, and ensures consumers have confidence in the products they purchase." "Minnesota became the model for responsible hemp regulation when it established a regulatory framework that complied with federal law and enabled local farmers and businesses to thrive," said Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), the lead Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee . "My commonsense legislation will give regulatory clarity to Minnesota farmers, brewers and small business owners and provide an alternative to short-sighted federal policies that threaten Minnesota jobs and consumer choice. I am proud to have worked with Rep. Barr on a solution that protects our farmers and small businesses while also keeping our kids and communities safe." "Reps. Andy Barr and Angie Craig deserve tremendous credit for stepping forward with a serious, science-based, and bipartisan solution at exactly the moment the hemp industry needs it most," said Jonathan Miller, General Counsel of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable. "Their leadership on the Lawful Hemp Protection Act reflects a clear-eyed recognition that prohibition is the wrong path, and that American farmers, small businesses, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers deserve a workable federal framework built on responsible regulation. We are grateful for their willingness to engage stakeholders across the industry throughout the drafting process, and we look forward to continuing to work with them and their colleagues in Congress to advance a long-term federal solution." "Reps. Craig and Barr understand that this isn't a partisan issue - it's about protecting farmers who planted in good faith, small business owners who built legal companies, and consumers who deserve safe, tested, legal products instead of being pushed into an unregulated market," said HIFA Executive Director Brian Swensen. "We appreciate all the hard work that brought us to this point. This bill is a strong step toward establishing a proper regulatory framework." "Representative Barr's bill is a smart, bi-partisan, stakeholder-supported solution," said Christopher Lackner, founder and president, Hemp Beverage Alliance. "On behalf of the country's hemp beverage suppliers, distributors, retailers, and responsible adult consumers, we urge Congress to fast-track this legislation." "As longtime supporters of a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp products, the Midwest Hemp Council thanks Congressman Andy Barr for his leadership in bringing stakeholders together to develop a national market structure. The hemp industry is united in supporting an extension of the November 12 deadline that would otherwise recriminalize the $40 Billion domestic hemp market. An extension will give lawmakers the time needed to enact a regulatory framework that unleashes opportunities for American farmers, meets consumer demand, and protects public health and safety," said Justin Swanson, President, MHC. "The Kentucky Hemp Association thanks Congressman Andy Barr for his leadership in introducing a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp products," said Dee Dee Taylor, President of the Kentucky Hemp Association. "Kentucky has already demonstrated that a strong, state regulated market can protect consumers while supporting responsible businesses, and hemp has become a critical replacement crop for many of the Commonwealth's tobacco farmers. To preserve these hard-earne