Republican lawmakers are criticizing the White House for delaying a ban on intoxicating hemp products, with accusations of favoritism toward a top official’s family business and debates over public health risks versus industry impact.
The White House has faced backlash from Republican lawmakers over its push to delay a ban on intoxicating hemp products, with critics alleging the move benefits a top official’s family business and questioning the administration’s stance on public health. The controversy centers on a provision in a stopgap government funding bill that pushed the ban on low-THC hemp-derived products to Dec. 11, 2026, from its original Nov. 12 deadline.
White House Pushes Delay Amid Family Ties
The delay, secured through bipartisan negotiations, has drawn scrutiny after it was revealed that the White House’s legislative affairs director, James Braid, actively lobbied for the extension. The move benefits the family of Susie Wiles, White House chief of staff, whose son-in-law, Bret Worley, leads MC Nutraceuticals, a major hemp company. Worley’s firm, which describes itself as the largest global supplier of cannabinoids,
stands to avoid the ban on products like Delta-8 and THC-O.
Republican lawmakers have voiced frustration, with some accusing the White House of prioritizing political connections over public health. It kind of hangs over all of this,
said a Trump ally, referring to Wiles’ family ties. The White House denied any impropriety, with spokesperson Kush Desai stating, Wiles has never lobbied in favor of this or any other position on hemp with Capitol Hill.
Hemp Industry Fears Looming Ban
The 2018 Farm Bill, championed by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., legalized hemp but left loopholes for intoxicating cannabinoids like Delta-8. Critics argue these products, sold in gas stations and convenience stores, pose risks to minors and lack regulation.
The industry, which represents a $28 billion market, has rallied against the ban. The U.S. This legislation builds on that success by creating a national framework that rewards responsible producers,
said Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., one of the bill’s sponsors.
Bipartisan Bill Seeks Regulation, Not a Ban
The Lawful Hemp Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Andy Barr and Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., would reclassify hemp as cannabis with up to 1% THC by dry weight, up from the current 0.3%. It also sets a minimum purchase age of 21 and bars synthetic cannabinoids.
Opponents, including a group of 34 attorneys general, warn the delay risks exposing consumers to untested products. The only interest guiding the Trump administration’s decision-making is the best interest of the American people,
Desai said, citing the administration’s support for the 2018 Farm Bill and Florida’s 2024 cannabis reforms.
Conflict Over Public Health vs. Industry Survival
The Senate aims to pass the funding bill this week, with Braid pledging not to delay the ban further after the current extension. Meanwhile, the hemp industry awaits clarity on the bipartisan bill, which could reshape the legal landscape for a sector already worth billions. As one industry leader noted, Demand doesn’t disappear because the government says no. And where there’s demand and money, there will be a market to meet it.
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