Kentucky Governor Urges Congress Not to Ban Hemp, Citing Harm to Farmers

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) warned that a planned federal ban on hemp-derived THC products would devastate the state's hemp industry and urged voters to reject members of Congress who support it. He called for states to regulate hemp products while protecting children, and separately touted progress on Kentucky's medical cannabis program.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said at a Thursday press conference that hemp is 'really important' to the state and that voters should not reelect members of Congress who seek to ban it. He argued that hemp supports many Kentucky farmers and has positive uses, while acknowledging the need to protect children from delta-8 and other hemp-derived products through state regulation.

The governor's comments come as federal legislation signed late last year redefines hemp so that only products with 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will remain legal after November 12. The Senate recently approved a funding bill provision to delay most parts of the hemp product ban until December 11, a move supported by the White House, though the House has not yet approved it.

Beshear said the currently planned ban on hemp THC products would 'decimate the hemp industry' and that he does not support it. He called on Congress to give states the ability to fully and fairly regulate hemp, saying, 'We'll protect kids or put a reasonable structure in place, but don't hurt Kentucky farmers who are already struggling.'

The governor also pointed to economic pressures on farmers, including tariffs and the Trump administration's war with Iran affecting diesel fuel and fertilizer prices. He said eliminating another crop option would be 'devastating' for Kentucky farmers and suggested voters should seek alternatives to lawmakers who would vote for such a ban.

At the same press conference, Beshear said Kentucky's medical cannabis program is past the 'halfway mark' to becoming fully operational. He reported that more than 25,209 Kentuckians have been approved for medical cannabis cards, over 490 practitioners are registered to issue certifications, and 41 businesses are up and running, including 11 cultivators, two safety compliance facilities, five processors, and 23 dispensaries.

The governor said increasing access to medical marijuana means more Kentuckians won't have to turn to addictive opioids and will be able to address chronic conditions and PTSD. He noted that with the Blue Sage Dispensary opening in Lebanon on Friday, the state will be over the halfway mark for dispensary operations.

Beshear also addressed criticism from House Majority Whip Jason Nemes (R), who asked Attorney General Russell Coleman to ensure state agencies do not cooperate with the governor's executive order expanding qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. The governor called Nemes's call to prosecute licensees participating in the expansion a 'complete lack of humanity,' particularly regarding patients with terminal illnesses such as ALS.

After the legislature declined to expand the qualifying condition list, Beshear used his authority to add 15 health disorders, including Parkinson's disease, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and glaucoma. He also rescinded an earlier 2022 executive order offering pardons for patients who purchased medical cannabis in neighboring states.