Why it matters: The hemp industry faces its biggest regulatory threat since legalization. The National Industrial Hemp Council renewed its lobbying contract with LobbyIt.com as the proposed Miller Amendment in the 2024 Farm Bill could devastate the $28.4 billion hemp market.
By the numbers: The Council has spent $100,000 on lobbying since March 2021. Karl U. Stark remains the sole lobbyist on the account. He brings experience from 35 prior lobbying disclosures with labor groups and trade associations. The organization filed 15 lobbying disclosures through 2025.
Broader context: Representative Mary Miller’s Farm Bill amendment would redefine hemp based on total THC content. This would make many current hemp products illegal overnight. The Senate hasn’t released its Farm Bill version yet. Banking discrimination against hemp businesses persists despite federal legalization in 2018.
The agenda: Banking services access tops the Council’s priorities with 13 lobbying instances. Agricultural policy follows with 12 instances. Food industry regulations round out their focus. They specifically lobbied on HR 841, the Hemp Consumer Protection Act. Congressional education on hemp versus marijuana remains ongoing.
Competitive landscape: No specific competitive lobbying data was provided in the research materials.
Between the lines: The Miller Amendment threatens to eliminate hemp-derived cannabinoids from the market. The FDA still hasn’t created clear CBD regulatory pathways six years post-legalization. The SAFER Banking Act stalled after December 2023 hearings. State regulations create a compliance patchwork hampering interstate commerce.
The bottom line: The Council’s lobbying renewal signals hemp industry alarm over potential Farm Bill restrictions. With Senate negotiations ongoing, this represents a critical advocacy window for hemp interests.
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