US and EU establish new regulatory frameworks for hemp-derived products

Lawmakers in the United States and the European Union are establishing new regulatory frameworks for hemp-derived products, specifically targeting THC content levels.

In the United States, Congress is reconsidering a 2025 law that narrowed the definition of hemp by excluding products with more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container. To address the potential impact on the market and workplace drug testing, Representatives Beth Van Duyne and Greg Landsman introduced the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act. This bipartisan proposal seeks to create a federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived beverages containing up to 5 milligrams of intoxicating THC per serving, utilizing a model similar to alcohol regulation.

Meanwhile, the European Union has formally integrated hemp-leaf tea into its food-safety framework. Effective January 1, 2027, European Commission Regulation 2026/1828 sets a maximum of 40 milligrams per kilogram for total THC equivalents in hemp leaves intended for water infusion, and a much stricter 0.02 mg/kg for ready-to-drink infusions. This regulation classifies hemp leaves used for herbal infusions as a traditional food rather than a ‘novel food,’ though it maintains the ability for individual member states to enforce stricter national rules.