Federal Proposal Would Close Illegal Hemp Loophole

Marijuana,

A new proposal reportedly would close the federal loophole responsible for the expansion of dangerous hemp products.

In 2018, Congress passed the federal Agriculture Improvement Act to let farmers grow cannabis plants low in THC for use in textiles like hemp rope or cloth.

THC is the main psychoactive substance in marijuana, and health experts warn the drug poses serious risks.

Instead of growing hemp for textiles, manufacturers have found ways to extract and refine the little bit of THC in the plants. Doing this on a commercial scale means they can produce a lot of THC to infuse into drinks, candies, e-cigarettes, and other products.

Last week a U.S. House Appropriations subcommittee advanced a spending bill that would tighten down on these dangerous products. The legislation is the first meaningful restriction on hemp products in Congress in nearly a decade.

https://twitter.com/learnaboutsam/status/1930682769190875257

As we have pointed out, drinks with as much THC as recreational marijuana products have raised serious public health and safety concerns.

In response, many state and federal policymakers have pushed back against these dangerous drugs.

For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that federal law prohibits hemp-derived THC in food products.

Massachusetts, South Dakota, California, and many other states have successfully prohibited food, drinks, and other products that contain THC made from hemp.

In 2023, Arkansas passed Act 629 by Sen. Tyler Dees (R – Siloam Springs) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) to prohibit THC made from industrial hemp.

This year, multiple bills legalizing THC-infused drinks were filed at the Arkansas Legislature. Fortunately, none of those bad bills passed, and lawmakers enacted good legislation to help further protect Arkansans from these drugs.

We appreciate Arkansas’ policymakers taking this issue seriously, and we hope Congress will take action to close the loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill and restrict these dangerous drugs.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

READ MORE

Arkansas “Medical” Marijuana Sales Hit New Highs

Marijuana

News outlets report that “medical” marijuana dispensaries in Arkansas sold nearly one and a half tons more marijuana during the first five months of 2025 than during the same time period in 2024.

Data from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration shows dispensaries are on track to sell record amounts of “medical” marijuana this year. Overall, Arkansans are spending more than $800,000 per day on marijuana, on average.

We said in 2016 that “medical” marijuana would give people an opportunity to use it recreationally — and there is plenty of evidence showing that has been the case.

The truth is all marijuana is harmful — whether it is marketed as “medical” marijuana or “recreational” marijuana.

Marijuana has been tied to a number of deadly heart problems — including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

Experts have found heavy marijuana users face higher risks of paranoia, memory loss, schizophrenia, and other serious problems.

Marijuana use during pregnancy also has been shown time and time again to hurt unborn children and newborns.

Nationwide, marijuana products are sending kids to the emergency room.

And instead of decreasing crime, marijuana legalization has actually emboldened drug cartels and increased the flow of illegal marijuana across America over the past decade.

The tax revenue that states receive from marijuana sales does not justify the damage that marijuana causes.

All of this simply underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

READ MORE

Yet Another Study Shows Marijuana is Bad for Your Heart

Marijuana

Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, have found — once again — that marijuana is tied to serious heart problems.

The study published on May 28 in JAMA Cardiology found people who smoke marijuana or use edibles laced with THC suffered from cardiovascular problems “similar to that observed in tobacco smokers.” The study adds to a growing body of research that shows marijuana is bad for the heart and lungs.

More and more, researchers report that regular marijuana use may raise the risk for heart attack, stroke, or heart failure — especially among people with other underlying health issues.

More generally, experts have found heavy marijuana users face higher risks of paranoia, memory loss, schizophrenia, and other serious problems.

Marijuana use during pregnancy also has been shown to hurt unborn children and newborns.

It’s worth pointing out that this year the Arkansas Legislature passed a good law to help protect people from dangerous drugs like THC — the main substance found in marijuana. Arkansans also have defeated recreational marijuana at the ballot box. And state lawmakers have rejected multiple bills that would have legalized THC and similar drugs.

All of this simply further underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

READ MORE