For those of us working with hemp, November 2025 will be remembered as a wake-up moment. While the timing might have been surprising to some, it is a call for our industry to align and support our regulatory bodies who oversee consumer protection and safety.
With the passage of the federal spending, including the Agriculture Bill language with clarifying hemp definitions and standards, the industry faces unprecedented challenges in the next year as we move through the Farm Bill renewal and deadline.
Howard Lee, CEO of SōRSE, recently shared,
“It’s understandable to feel frustrated and uncertain; this is a significant moment for everyone operating in the category. That said, there is a viable path forward. We have time, and we have options. It is the beginning of the next phase, and we believe it can lead to clear, consumer-safety-focused regulatory environment.”
The critical reminder is this: we are not bystanders. Everyone in the hemp ecosystem, from farmers to consumers, has a voice in what comes next.
To that end, Michael and I have outlined actionable steps you can take over the coming year to help steer the future of hemp toward a fair, transparent, and science-based framework, which is premised on consumer safety, provides clear guidance to all levels of producers, and integrates with existing regulatory frameworks.
The SōRSE stance
SōRSE has always argued that consumers deserve thoughtful, science-backed regulation over the hemp industry.
Scott Riefler, Chief Science Officer, has this take on the new ban:
“I think what’s happening with the Agricultural Bill is a good thing, because federal agencies are now starting to look at cannabis and hemp’s future within regulated systems. I think regulatory guidance at the federal level is a good thing for our industry. Yes, it will be bumpy along the way. Some stakeholders may not like what they see, but I personally believe it is appropriate for regulatory guidance and for a regulatory sweep of those not complying with the guidance as laid out.”
That’s why we’re collaborating with partners like the National Hemp Association, the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA), and the Hemp Beverage Alliance to establish a federal framework that prioritizes safety, consistency, age-gating, and transparent labeling.
The National Hemp Association’s recent report, Pushing Progress: Hemp Industry Working Group Addresses 2025 Legislative and Policy Challenges, is well worth a read. It provides a federal oversight model that includes oversight by the USDA (agricultural production), the FDA (non-impairing cannabinoids and supplements), and the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) for impairing cannabinoids.
7 actionable steps you can take right now
As it stands now, we have a year until the hemp ban is set to take effect. During that time, there will be at least one more federal spending bill in early 2026, and the 2018 Farm Bill is up for renewal in roughly nine months. The industry is not out of time, but it IS all hands to the pump.
Over the next year, there will be meaningful opportunities for industry- and consumer-driven input, science-based standards, and the push for a new federal framework.
Here are a few steps you can take right now toward this end.
1. Join the conversation
I’m encouraging everyone across the cannabis sector to join the National Hemp Association to help shape the future of hemp in the United States. As one of the most established and impactful advocacy organizations in the industry, they’ve long been pushing for thoughtful, workable policy, long before the ban was announced.
Joining the National Hemp Association means aligning with a coalition of farmers, processors, manufacturers, scientists, retailers, and consumers who are all calling for clear, rational, science-based regulation. It’s an opportunity to add your voice to a unified chorus demanding a federal framework that finally reflects the realities of today’s hemp sector.
2. Request a meeting with lawmakers and policy makers
Outside of joining industry advocacy groups like the NHA, you can also speak directly with your state senator and/or congressional representatives. It’s easier than you think to get in front of policymakers to share your side of the story.
If you don’t know who your reps are, you can go to whosmyrep.org, type in your zip code, and click to call, email, or request a meeting directly from the search results page.
Remember, our legislators work for us, and we often underestimate the power that real people sharing real stories can have on future policies. Despite what we might assume, policymakers are people too, and they do care about the businesses, livelihoods, and therapeutic options available to their constituents. Sharing stories and immediate economic impact with your representative(s) can directly influence policy direction.
Keep in mind that initial meetings are often short—less than 20 minutes. Before your scheduled meeting, set out concise discussion points and outline what you want to achieve (you may want to have a copy of the Pushing Progress report in hand). Go in ready for a person-to-person conversation, not a fight.
3. Monitor and prepare for regulatory changes
Many people in the industry were blindsided by the last-minute addition of hemp language to a must-pass federal spending bill. To avoid being caught off guard again, I’d recommend you use the next 12 months to actively monitor and prepare for any regulatory shifts that may unfold.
That starts with staying informed about federal and state-level developments, especially the Farm Bill, which, after two extensions, now runs into 2026. This will still be a major milestone for the industry and represents an opportunity for lawmakers to introduce a new, robust framework for hemp. To stay in the know, industry journals such as Cannabis Now and MJBiz Daily will cover changes, but this ban is big enough that even the national media is covering it. I’d also recommend setting a news alert for keywords such as “farm bill,” “hemp farm bill,” or “hemp legislation.”
Of course, the types of positive changes we are seeking are not guaranteed; the second step is to prepare now. Begin aligning your operations with the kinds of expectations the FDA, USDA, and individual states are likely to enforce, including GMP certification, robust documentation and traceability, and consistent quality controls.
4. Pivot to state-by-state dynamics
With the possibility of a permanent federal ban, brands need to be ready to pivot to state-by-state operations, much as the regulated recreational cannabis markets operate. Michael Flemmens, Sōrse Executive Vice President of Research, says,
“The players that exist in the market today are just going to keep going, just at the state-by-state level. I would anticipate more frequent but less voluminous manufacturing runs–from a 50,000-case run to a 25,000-case run, for example, as they figure out what their state is doing.”
It is an unwelcome shift, but for agile businesses focused on long-term resilience, this is the level of creative pivoting the moment calls for.
If production or processing becomes restricted to individual states, operators will need to evaluate which of the 24 legal markets make the most sense for expansion. Entering every state simultaneously won’t be feasible for most, so it’s time to assess each market’s regulatory climate, consumer demand, competition, tax environment, and cost structure in order to build a thoughtful, phased rollout plan. If you work with a provider like SōRSE, who can support state-by-state operations through mobile and modular manufacturing solutions, it will be a bit easier.
5. Educate and communicate
Your customers are just as concerned as you are about the looming regulatory changes hitting hemp. I recommend keeping your customers informed about what’s happening and your brand’s stance with regular updates throughout the coming year. Use whatever channels are open to you, like social media, email campaigns, and even in-store marketing materials.
Develop a clear positioning statement that helps your customers easily understand your point of view, the changes you hope to see in new regulations, and how they can help your efforts. This year will offer many opportunities for individual Americans to reach out to their representatives, so this is the chance to give your customers aligned talking points.
6. Advocate on your packaging
Speaking of customer communication, what better way to reach your consumer base than through direct messaging on updated packaging? A simple statement or QR code can direct consumers to accurate information, timely updates, or educational resources about the evolving hemp landscape.
This approach ensures that every customer (not just those following your social channels) stays up to date. It means they can easily share information with friends or family and participate in the broader conversation about creating a more rational framework for hemp.
7. Simplify operations and reduce risk
Finally, given the current climate of uncertainty, you may want to consider streamlining operations. Rather than working with multiple vendors across different stages of product development (such as separate companies for emulsion, formulation, flavoring, and packaging), seek out end-to-end partners who are already set up to meet anticipated regulatory standards (GMP, FDA).
Evaluate your current supply chain. Can your current vendors provide a full suite of services at the expected higher regulatory standards? If you are pivoting to a state-by-state manufacturing approach, can those partners move with you?
Essentially, the more you can simplify operations with an end-to-end partner who can handle everything from formulation to manufacturing and regulatory compliance, the more you’ll inherently reduce complexity and risk in these uncertain times.
The future of hemp is still ours to shape
Although sudden and unbidden, this moment is set to be a formative one for the US cannabis and hemp industries. Now is the time to pivot, survive, advocate, and help influence the hemp regulatory framework we want to see in the world.
In the words of Chief Science Officer Scott Riefler,
“We are now at the stage of regulatory evolution, and I would encourage stakeholders to align with the interests of consumers and the regulatory agencies that are providing consumer protection and safety. In the end, you will be rewarded with a shorter time to compliance and shorter timeframe to market.”
Together, we can help build the necessary consumer-focused regulatory environment.
