The Senate has taken the single most important step for our industry since the 2018 Farm Bill. Its Continuing Resolution includes language delaying the hemp recriminalization deadline from November 12 to December 11, giving Congress the time it needs to build a real regulatory framework instead of letting a sweeping ban fall on responsible businesses. The White House supports this delay and has urged Congress to resolve the issue before the November deadline.

That progress is now under direct attack. Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina has filed an amendment to strip the hemp extension out of the CR. If his amendment is adopted, the extension disappears and the entire industry is put right back on track for the federal ban set to take effect November 12. Several senators have already signaled support, and the amendment could reach the floor at any time as the Senate works to pass the CR before leaving for August recess.

We need every member to act today. Please contact both of your U.S. Senators and urge them to vote NO on Senator Budd's amendment, or any similar effort to remove the hemp extension from the Continuing Resolution. The message is simple: the extension is a temporary, common sense step that gives Congress room to finish a thoughtful framework rather than forcing recriminalization before that work is done.

This is not a partisan fight. Congressman Andy Barr of Kentucky and Congresswoman Angie Craig of Minnesota have introduced bipartisan legislation to build a comprehensive federal framework for hemp products, and the White House itself has asked Congress to fix this before November. Stripping the extension now would slam the door on that work and recriminalize the industry before any real framework can be put in place.

The window is narrow and the vote could happen fast. A short call or email to each of your Senators' offices today is the most effective thing you can do to protect the industry. Please reach out now, and encourage your colleagues and networks to do the same.

Thank you for standing up for responsible hemp businesses across the Midwest.