US federal ban on CBD and THC hemp products takes effect December 11

A federal ban on many CBD and THC products made from hemp, the milder form of cannabis, is set to take effect in the United States from December 11. Hundreds of thousands of people who use these products for sleep and stress relief are expected to be affected.

The ban does not apply to marijuana products sold in state-licensed medical or recreational shops. However, thousands of hemp-derived products such as gummies, oils and drinks will become illegal. Any hemp product containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per package is barred from sale.

After the farm bill passed in 2018, this market grew to several billion dollars without regulation. Parents seeking to control children's access to dangerous products, with the support of some senators, had the ban inserted into the budget bill passed last year.

Advocacy groups express concern that many people, including military veterans and first responders, rely on these products for their daily wellbeing and that they could vanish overnight. Industry representatives say hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in value are at risk.

Some senators from both parties have introduced a bill allowing states to seek exemptions from the ban, and the December deadline may be extended again. Opponents of the ban argue that safe regulations can be created instead of a total prohibition.