The urgency stems from Section 781 of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations law, which is set to narrow the federal definition of hemp on November 12. Without intervention, this shift threatens to eliminate many legitimate wellness products from the marketplace. The proposed legislation aims to repeal that provision, replacing it with a structure that mandates third-party testing, transparent labeling, and a strict 21-and-over age requirement to curb youth access.

Ronan Kennedy, CEO of cbdMD, noted that the bill distinguishes compliant hemp goods from illicit synthetic intoxicants, which have recently drawn negative scrutiny to the sector. By advocating for FDA oversight and domestic sourcing, the company seeks to build consumer confidence and provide long-term certainty for retailers. cbdMD also expressed support for the Office of Management and Budget’s push to address these definitions through pending budget legislation, potentially offering a faster route to stability before the autumn deadline.