Wisconsin hemp industry faces regulatory cliff

Hemp producers and retailers in Wisconsin face significant disruption due to new federal rules set to take effect on November 12. These regulations, stemming from previous federal funding legislation, will slash allowable THC limits, effectively banning most legal hemp-derived THC gummies and beverages currently on the market.

Local industry stakeholders warn that the sudden regulatory shift could devastate businesses. State Representative Maureen McCarville noted that the industry's future may depend on upcoming elections, which could allow for faster legislative action to establish new guidelines. However, she anticipates the state legislature may not act until early next year, several months after the deadline.

The regulatory uncertainty is also impacting academic research. Shelby Ellison of the University of Wisconsin Department of Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences reported that shifting policies and declining federal grants from the USDA are hindering the development of new hemp cultivars for fiber, grain, and cannabinoids.