Help for Hemp: What the Missourian Got Right About the Fight Ahead

A recent article in the Missourian titled “Help for Hemp” lays out what many Missouri farmers and hemp businesses are staring down right now: a federal crackdown set to take effect in November 2026 that could wipe out the majority of today’s hemp-derived THC products.

The story follows John and Kara Grady, hemp farmers in Gasconade County and owners of a hemp retail store in Rosebud, as they traveled to Washington, D.C. with the Hemp Industry & Farmers of America to lobby Congress for change. Their message was simple: regulate responsibly, do not erase an entire industry overnight.

What Changed Federally

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp was legalized nationwide as long as it contained no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis. That distinction allowed farmers to grow hemp legally and opened the door for a wide range of products, from fiber and animal feed to beverages and edibles.

In November 2025, Congress passed new legislation tightening that definition. The updated law keeps the 0.3 percent plant threshold but adds a strict limit of 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container for finished products like drinks and edibles. That change takes effect in November 2026.

For context, most hemp beverages currently on shelves contain between 5 and 10 milligrams of THC per can. The new federal limit would make the vast majority of those products illegal.

For many hemp businesses, including those in Missouri, those adult-use products make up a significant portion of revenue.

Why Businesses Are Concerned

The Missourian article makes clear that this is not a theoretical debate. It is about planting decisions, payroll, inventory, and whether small farms can survive.

John Grady noted that more than half of his sales come from adult-use hemp THC products. He also pointed out that the new limits are so tight that even certain agricultural uses of hemp could be affected, including hemp-based chicken feed.

The concern shared by many in the industry is not about avoiding oversight. It is about timing and scale. An abrupt federal change without a workable regulatory transition risks shutting down compliant operators alongside any bad actors.

Hemp Industry & Farmers of America is currently pushing Congress for a three-year extension before enforcement begins, arguing that lawmakers need time to craft workable safeguards instead of imposing a cliff.

So far, that effort has not succeeded.

Missouri’s Role in the Debate

Missouri has its own layer of complexity. The state has not yet passed comprehensive hemp regulations, leaving gaps in testing requirements, labeling standards, and age verification rules. Some state officials argue that the lack of oversight creates public safety concerns.

At the same time, hemp businesses in Missouri say they already test products and check IDs, and that responsible regulation is welcome. What they oppose is an outright ban that treats compliant operators and reckless sellers the same.

The article also highlights the position of the Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, which supports aligning state law with the new federal limits. That alignment could effectively remove most hemp-derived THC products from Missouri’s market.

The broader fear expressed by hemp advocates is that eliminating lawful access does not eliminate demand. Instead, it may push consumers toward unregulated sources.

What Happens Next

According to the Missourian, some Missouri farmers are already reconsidering whether to plant hemp this season due to uncertainty. Without clarity before November 2026, planting becomes a gamble.

The path forward will likely involve either:

• A federal extension that delays enforcement
• State-level regulations that reshape the market
• Or a rapid contraction of the current hemp-derived THC sector

Whatever happens, the next year will define whether Missouri hemp remains a diverse agricultural and retail industry or becomes something far smaller.

Speak Up for a Measured Approach

If you believe regulation should be thoughtful instead of rushed, you can contact Congress directly and urge lawmakers to support an extension that allows time for real safeguards instead of abrupt elimination. The Hemp Industry & Farmers of America has made it easy to send a message here:

https://speak4.app/lp/vj018sbu/?ts=1768441917

The request is straightforward: give hemp three more years to build comprehensive rules that protect consumers while preserving American farms and small businesses.

Stock Up While You Can

With the November 2026 federal deadline approaching, uncertainty remains. If hemp-derived drinks, gummies, or other consumables are part of your routine, now is the time to plan ahead.

We do not know what the final landscape will look like. We do know that the clock is ticking.