Congress May Change Hemp Laws — But This Story Isn’t Over Yet
A Note from the Howdy Team
Howdy, friends — we want to keep our community in the loop about some recent chatter coming out of Washington, D.C. around hemp laws. There’s been a lot of headlines, and we know it can sound confusing or even worrisome. So let’s take a deep breath, settle back, and walk through what’s actually going on — and why we’re optimistic about the road ahead.
The Short Version
Lawmakers in Congress recently tucked new hemp language into a set of federal funding bills (called the “minibus”). Hidden in those hundreds of pages were a few sentences that could change how hemp is defined nationwide — including limits on how much THC can be in hemp products.
If that language were to pass as written, it would set a 0.4mg total THC limit per package and redefine hemp based on total THC rather than the 2018 Farm Bill’s standard of 0.3% THC by dry weight.
According to Whitney Economics, this THC limit eliminates 95% of the hemp market, including full-spectrum CBD products and low-dose beverages like we sell at Howdy.
Why This Isn’t the End of the Trail
First off, this proposal hasn’t passed yet — and even if it does, it includes a 365-day delay before anything would take effect. That means one full year for Congress and responsible businesses to come together, educate lawmakers, and build a smarter framework that protects consumers and supports legitimate hemp companies.
We’ve been here before in Texas, and when the facts come out, common sense usually wins. This extreme language doesn’t reflect the real story of hemp — and that’s starting to show in conversations across the country.
The Industry Is Standing Strong
The good news? Retailers, distributors, and trade associations are standing with responsible brands that focus on low-dose, hemp-derived beverages — not the bad actors pushing high-dose or unregulated products.
Even better, new legislation is already being drafted to fix this situation and officially recognize low-dose hemp beverages as legal nationwide.
And here at home in Texas, state law still allows products made with hemp-derived Δ9-THC at or below 0.3% — which means Howdy is here to stay.
What Comes Next
If anything changes at the federal level, we’ll have time to adapt. The hemp industry isn’t going away — it’s just finding its footing. This is our chance to help shape the next chapter of hemp regulation and keep showing what responsible, quality products look like.
We’ll continue working with our partners, policymakers, and community to protect the right to responsibly enjoy hemp beverages.
Stay In the Loop, Partner 🤠
We promise to keep our community informed with clear, honest updates — no noise, no scare tactics.
Join our newsletter to stay up to date on federal hemp news, product launches, and the future of low-dose THC beverages.
We’re in this together, and we’re mighty proud to be part of a growing Texas industry that’s doing things the right way.
