Governor Tony Evers Urges Wisconsin Congressional Delegation to Amend Federal Hemp Law
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has taken a decisive step to protect the state’s burgeoning hemp industry by asking the state’s ten members of Congress to push for a revision of a new federal regulation that threatens to ban most intoxicating hemp products by November 2025. In a letter sent Tuesday, Evers warned that the current rule would jeopardize roughly 3,500 jobs and strip away about $700 million in economic activity tied to hemp cultivation and processing across Wisconsin.
What the Federal Law Changes
The provision in question was included in the legislation that reopened the federal government after a record‑long shutdown last year. It sets the legal limit for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in finished hemp‑derived cannabinoid products at 0.4 milligrams per container. Under this threshold, many products that were previously lawful under the 2018 Farm Bill would be re‑classified as marijuana, effectively removing them from the legal market.
According to the governor’s office, the revised definition would force existing business models to collapse, leading to store closures, layoffs, and lost investment. The impact is expected to be especially pronounced in Wisconsin, where the state has not yet legalized medical or recreational marijuana despite multiple attempts by the administration to do so.
Economic and Agricultural Stakes for Wisconsin
Evers’ letter highlights two intertwined concerns: the loss of commercial opportunities and the risk to farmers who have turned to hemp as a diversification strategy. As of November 2025, Wisconsin hosted 470 federally licensed hemp producers, a figure reported by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
If the federal limit remains unchanged, many of these growers may be compelled to abandon hemp cultivation altogether. That would not only erase income for individual farms but also diminish the broader economic ripple effect that supports rural communities—equipment suppliers, testing labs, transportation services, and retail outlets all rely on a viable hemp sector.
The governor’s office estimates that the current hemp‑related economy contributes approximately $700 million annually to Wisconsin’s gross domestic product and sustains around 3,500 full‑time equivalent jobs. These numbers are drawn from a 2024 impact study conducted by the University of Wisconsin‑Madison’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, which surveyed licensed processors, retailers, and growers statewide.
A Call for a Science‑Based Solution
In his correspondence, Evers urged Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to collaborate with colleagues across the aisle to craft a legislative fix that preserves a “workable, science‑based hemp definition.” The governor argues that such an approach would prevent unnecessary economic harm while still addressing any legitimate concerns about product safety and potency.
The request aligns with recommendations from industry groups such as the Hemp Industries Association and the National Hemp Association, both of which have advocated for a THC threshold that reflects actual impairment levels rather than an arbitrary milligram‑per‑container limit.
Looking Ahead
With the November deadline approaching, stakeholders across Wisconsin are watching closely to see whether federal lawmakers will respond to the governor’s appeal. Successful amendment could safeguard the state’s emerging hemp market, protect thousands of livelihoods, and keep Wisconsin positioned as a leader in sustainable agricultural diversification.
For the full text of Governor Evers’ letter and additional details, see the original report Here.
