The government shutdown may last longer because of a fight over hemp

November 11th, 2025

Although Congress appears to have reached a deal to end the government shutdown, the vote is being delayed by an unexpected sticking point: hemp.

A bill aimed at ending the longest government shutdown in U.S. history has stalled over a hemp-related provision included in the Agriculture Department’s funding.

The provision would effectively ban intoxicating hemp products by closing the “loophole” in the 2018 Farm Bill, which currently allows THC products derived from federally legal hemp to be manufactured and sold nationwide.

If passed, the hemp provision would outlaw hundreds of currently legal THC products—most notably Delta-8 and Delta-9 varieties. Under current law, hemp-derived THC products are federally legal if they contain no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. The new legislation, however, would set a strict total THC cap of 0.4 milligrams, effectively banning these products for personal or household use.

Trump said Monday afternoon that he supports the deal and expects the government to reopen.

Read more about this ongoing issue: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/government-shutdown-may-last-longer-fight-hemp-rcna243075