Wisconsin Hemp Farmers Face Uncertainty as Federal Law Looms
In Sheboygan County, the scent of fresh hemp fields is mingling with growing anxiety. A change in federal law set to take effect in November could reshape the state’s burgeoning hemp market, which Governor Tony Evers has described as a $700‑million industry supporting more than 3,500 jobs.
Booming Business at 3 Tall Pines Hemp Farm
Craig Thran, owner of 3 Tall Pines Hemp Farm, says his operation has exploded since its launch. “Within the first 12 months we kind of blew up in the industry. We hit about two million in sales that first year which allowed me to quit my job, and since it’s been nothing but uphill growth,” Thran explained. His firsthand experience gives him a clear view of both the opportunities and the risks tied to regulatory shifts.
Thran’s investment is personal: he has poured his retirement savings into the farm, leaving him unsure whether the business will survive past the November deadline.
What the New Federal Definition Means
The change stems from a provision in the 2025 federal spending package—part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act—that revised the legal definition of hemp. Previously, any cannabis plant with less than 0.3 % delta‑9‑THC by dry weight qualified as hemp. The new rule removes from the hemp category any product containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container.
As a result, popular items such as 10 mg THC gummies, 5 mg infused beverages, and many full‑spectrum CBD oils would no longer be classified as hemp under federal law. Those products would effectively become illegal unless they comply with stricter marijuana regulations, which remain prohibited in Wisconsin.
State‑Level Efforts Stall
Wisconsin has not moved to create its own regulatory framework for hemp or marijuana. Both medical and recreational marijuana remain illegal in the state, and recent bills aiming to legalize either form have failed to advance in the legislature.
In February, Governor Tony Evers sent a letter to Wisconsin’s Congressional delegation urging them to delay or modify the upcoming hemp restrictions. Representative Tony Wied (R‑WI) acknowledged the concern, saying he is open to extending the timeline proposed in the farm bill, but noted that any final decision will depend on further negotiations.
Federal Legislative Responses
Several bipartisan bills have already been introduced in Congress to address the impending restriction.
- A measure led by Representative Jim Baird (R‑IN) would delay the enforcement of the THC‑limit for two years, giving farmers additional time to adjust planting schedules and inventory.
- Another bill, backed by Representative Nancy Mace (R‑SC), seeks to repeal the restrictive hemp provisions entirely, restoring the pre‑2025 definition.
If either proposal gains traction, it could provide the clarity that hemp entrepreneurs like Thran need to make informed business decisions months in advance.
Looking Ahead
For now, Thran and other Wisconsin hemp growers are waiting for a definitive signal from lawmakers. “If they’re saying we can do business after November, we need them to tell us now so that people can make appropriate business decisions leading up three to four months down the road,” he said. The outcome will determine whether the state’s hemp sector continues its rapid expansion or contracts sharply under the new federal rule.
Source: Here
