Wisconsin Governor Urges Congress to Amend Federal Hemp THC Limit
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers has sent a formal letter to the state’s congressional delegation, asking lawmakers to adjust a provision in the federal hemp law that he warns could jeopardize roughly 3,500 jobs and $700 million in economic activity when it takes effect in November.
Background on the Contested Provision
The language in question was inserted into the continuing‑resolution bill that reopened the federal government after the 2023 shutdown. It sets the legal threshold for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in hemp‑derived products at 0.4 milligrams per container—a figure far below the 0.3 percent THC concentration traditionally used to define industrial hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Governor Evers argues that the new limit would reclassify many hemp‑based items currently sold legally in Wisconsin, forcing producers to either reformulate their products or cease sales altogether.
Wisconsin’s Hemp Landscape
Although recreational and medical marijuana remain prohibited in the state, Wisconsin has cultivated a robust hemp sector. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the state hosts 470 federally licensed hemp producers who grow the crop for fiber, grain, and cannabinoid extraction.
These operations supply a range of lawful products—including CBD oils, topicals, edibles, and textile goods—that have become an important diversification strategy for family farms facing volatile commodity prices.
Economic and Workforce Implications
In his letter, Governor Evers cited a study commissioned by the University of Wisconsin‑Madison’s Center for Cooperatives, which estimated that the hemp‑derived marketplace supports approximately 3,500 full‑time equivalent jobs and contributes more than $700 million annually to the state’s gross domestic product.
He warned that a restrictive THC cap would push commerce across state lines, as businesses seek jurisdictions with more permissive standards, thereby draining tax revenue and undermining the livelihoods of farmers who have already invested seed, land, equipment, labor, and financing months ahead of the harvest.
Call for a Science‑Based Approach
The governor urged Congress to align the federal definition with the consensus of scientific and regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, which recognize that trace amounts of THC well below psychoactive thresholds do not impair product safety.
By maintaining a realistic THC limit, lawmakers can preserve the legal market for hemp‑derived goods while still protecting public health—a balance that, according to Evers, is essential for sustaining Wisconsin’s agricultural innovation and rural economies.
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