Yes
The 2026 U.S. Farm Bill reclassifies the definition of intoxicating hemp and is
expected to lead to the closure of businesses selling delta-9 THC and hemp-derived products as soon as November.
The new rule bans the sale of products that have more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container, excluding virtually all such products.
Currently, Wisconsin hemp dispensaries can sell products with up to 0.3% of delta-9 THC by weight, under a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill. Current law doesn’t have any restrictions on hemp-derived products, such as delta-8, THCP or delta-10. The 0.4 milligram limit is far stricter.
The new rule goes into effect Nov. 12, 2026.
According to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, the hemp industry closure could impact 3,500 jobs and reduce economic input by $700 million. Wisconsin has 470 federally licensed hemp growers.
This fact brief responds to conversations like this one.
Sources
Congressional Research Service, “Change to Federal Definition of Hemp and Implications for Federal Enforcement”
Gov. Tony Evers’ letter to Wisconsin’s congressional delegation.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Wisconsin cannabis businesses have one year to try to overturn federal hemp ban”
Wisconsin Public Radio, “‘The government put me out of business’: Wisconsin hemp growers, sellers brace for new federal hemp law”
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Gov. Evers says federal hemp law will hurt Wisconsin”
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel collaborated with Wisconsin Watch to develop this fact brief. Wisconsin Watch is a member of the Gigafact program, newsrooms across the U.S. that deliver bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read more about our methodology at jsonline.com/FactBriefMethods.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Does the US Farm Bill ban products sold by THC and hemp businesses?
Reporting by Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
