Copyright Star Tribune
In 2018, Congress made a bipartisan decision that reshaped agriculture and small business across the country: It legalized hemp. The intent was clear — to create a legal pathway for innovation, investment and opportunity. For many of us who believed in responsible regulation and local economic growth, that was the start of something meaningful. Now, just seven years later, that progress is being threatened once again. The U.S. Senate has passed a government funding bill that includes language redefining hemp so narrowly that it would effectively make hemp-derived THC products illegal nationwide. That single provision, buried in a much larger spending package, would wipe out years of careful work in states like Minnesota that have already built responsible, regulated frameworks. I understand the concerns that led to this discussion. There are bad actors out there — companies cutting corners, states that never established guardrails and products appearing in places they shouldn’t. Everyone agrees that stronger oversight is needed. But the solution isn’t to punish the people and states that have done the hard work of building systems based on safety and accountability. Here in Minnesota, we’ve built a thoughtful model that puts public safety and compliance first. Edibles are limited to 5 milligrams of THC per serving and 50 milligrams per package. Beverages are capped at 10 milligrams per can, and every sale requires ID verification for customers 21 and older. All products must be tested in certified labs, packaged responsibly and labeled accurately. We even banned direct-to-consumer shipments from out-of-state sellers to keep non-compliant or misleading products from entering our market. Minnesota’s framework has created jobs, generated new tax revenue and given local farmers and small businesses a transparent, well-regulated marketplace. It helps fund local initiatives, supports enforcement and gives consumers confidence that what they’re buying is safe and compliant. Now, with the Senate’s version of the bill moving forward, that progress hangs in the balance. The House still has the opportunity to act and to recognize that a one-size-fits-all prohibition isn’t the answer, and to remove this language before it becomes law. We should absolutely address the problems in states that lack oversight. But let’s be honest. Banning or restricting the entire category isn’t reform; it’s a step backward and one that would destroy jobs, erase millions in state tax revenue and push consumers back toward unregulated, unsafe markets online. If Congress truly wants to protect consumers, it should start by learning from states like Minnesota. Strengthen the systems that already work. Support those working to improve. Hold the bad actors accountable, but don’t dismantle what’s working responsibly and safely.
