Hemp Regulation Gets Legislative Housekeeping: Bill Repeals Future 2026 Amendment to Agricultural Marketing Act

The “American Hemp Protection Act of 2025” is short, but its single action is a major piece of legislative housekeeping that affects how hemp is regulated. This bill doesn’t introduce a new rule; instead, it cancels an old one before it even takes effect. Specifically, Section 2 repeals Section 781 of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026, which dealt with amendments to the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 regarding hemp. This repeal is scheduled to kick in on November 12, 2025.

The Legislative Eraser

Think of this bill as hitting the 'undo' button on a previous law. The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 is the foundational law that sets the stage for how agricultural products—including hemp, which was legalized federally in 2018—are regulated, marketed, and inspected. When Congress passes a massive appropriations bill, like the one from 2026 referenced here, it often includes small legislative changes (known as riders) that amend existing laws. Section 781 was one such amendment that changed how hemp was treated under the 1946 Act.

By repealing Section 781, this bill essentially removes whatever new rules or restrictions that section was going to impose on hemp cultivation, processing, or sale. Since the text of the bill doesn't specify what Section 781 actually did, the impact is a bit like a mystery box: we only know the box is gone, not what was inside. However, for hemp farmers, processors, and retailers, this is a big deal because it means they won't have to comply with whatever regulatory changes that section would have introduced.

Who This Affects and Why It Matters

This move primarily impacts the American hemp industry. If Section 781 was meant to tighten regulations—say, by adding new testing requirements or limiting certain hemp-derived products—then its repeal is a win for industry players seeking less federal oversight. For a small business owner relying on the current, established rules for growing or selling CBD products, this bill offers regulatory stability by preventing a future change from taking effect. It maintains the status quo established before the 2026 appropriations bill was passed.

Conversely, if Section 781 was designed to clarify confusing state-federal regulations or streamline the marketing process, its repeal could leave some legal ambiguities lingering. Ultimately, this bill is about legislative clarity and preventing a future, unknown regulatory shift from upending the market. It’s a procedural cleanup that signals a desire to keep the existing hemp framework intact, at least until Congress decides to pass a comprehensive, standalone hemp bill.