Why the Hemp Loophole Defense Just Failed in Federal Court
Why the Hemp Loophole Defense Just Failed in Federal Court If you’ve been told that the hemp loophole defense will protect your THCA or “Farm Bill compliant” business in federal court, the Lucas Sirois case out of Maine should make you very uncomfortable. In November 2025, a federal jury convicted Sirois on every major count—conspiracy […]
Hemp Clone Loophole: How Congress Missed It In 2025
The new hemp clone loophole appears in Congress’s latest hemp rewrite, where “hemp” is defined by total THC at the time of testing but largely ignores clones, mother plants, and tissue culture. A young cannabis clone that tests under 0.3% total THC is treated as legal hemp—even if it will later produce high-THC flower—creating a […]
Hemp banking after FinCEN guidance
The new federal funding bill didn’t just tweak hemp’s definition—it rewired hemp banking. Congress added a 0.4 mg total THC cap per container, banned most synthetic or converted cannabinoids, and told FDA/HHS to classify “THC-like” compounds. When that new definition kicks in, FinCEN’s existing hemp and marijuana guidance will push many intoxicating hemp brands out […]
2025 Federal Hemp Law Update: What the New Definition Means for Your Business
I’ve been talking about this day since 2019, back when I did my first “hemp is legalized” bit and walked through the THCA loophole that blew that video up. Now it’s here in black and white. Congress has finally rewritten the federal definition of hemp in a way that doesn’t just “tighten” the rules; it […]
Stop Punishing the Legal Guys: Treat All THC the Same and Let Legal Win
Treat all THC the same. The current two-track hustle is pure hypocrisy, and it is killing the licensed industry while illicit and unregulated hemp operators rake it in. The loophole crowd pushes intoxicating “hemp” vapes and gummies online and in smoke shops with light oversight, bargain taxes, and zero real compliance, then undercuts licensed stores […]
Updates to Illinois Hemp Rules: Key Changes and What They Mean
The Illinois Department of Agriculture has implemented significant amendments to the hemp regulations under the Industrial Hemp Act, 505 ILCS 89. These rule changes redefine how hemp is cultivated, processed, and regulated in Illinois, marking a critical shift in the delineation between hemp and cannabis in the state, but the rules only apply to cultivators […]
Is THCa Hemp Flower Legal?
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) is a compound in hemp that is sparking debate and uncertainty in the licensed cannabis world. As regulatory landscapes shift, THCa hemp flower occupies a grey area challenging analysts and policymakers alike. This cannabinoid precursor, while non-intoxicating in its natural state, complicates legal frameworks, particularly when heated, transforming into potent delta-9 THC. […]