U.S. Senate lawmakers unanimously voted to advance legislation on July 10 that contains cataclysmic language for those involved in the cannabinoid hemp industry.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act with 27 members in support. The 136-page spending bill provides more than $27 billion in discretionary funding to support farmers, rural communities, nutrition programs, medical research and myriad issues to protect the nation’s food supply.

However, lawmakers also included provisions to redefine hemp in a manner that closes a “loophole that has resulted in the proliferation of unregulated intoxicating hemp products being sold across the country,” according to a summary from the committee.

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., spearheaded the federal legalization of hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill, viewing the plant’s grain and fiber outputs as agricultural commodities that could provide farmers in the Bluegrass State an alternative cash crop amid the declining tobacco industry. But what McConnell did not expect was for the 2018 legislation to lead to a booming consumer demand for intoxicating cannabinoid products, such as delta-8 THC gummies, that include synthetic derivatives from hemp.

The former majority leader spoke about this unintended consequence on Thursday as a member of the Appropriations Committee.

“These intoxicating products have flooded the market in the absence [of a] regulatory structure and often use deceptive and predatory marketing towards children with packaging and logos similar to existing food products, such as Oreos, candy, gummies and cereals,” McConnell said. “The way I see it, the language I helped secure takes us back to the original intent of the 2018 Farm Bill and closes this loophole. My 2018 hemp bill sought to create an agricultural hemp industry, not open the door to the sale of unregulated, intoxicating, lab-made, hemp-derived substances with no safety framework.”

The 2025 hemp provisions that advanced out of the Senate committee this week largely mirror those that the U.S. House Appropriations Committee adopted on June 23 under the lead of Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md.

Under both versions, hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing synthetic compounds and/or quantifiable amounts of THC or THCA—or other cannabinoids that have similar effects on humans or animals—would be illegal. The legislation authorizes the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to determine what qualifies as “quantifiable amounts.”

However, hemp grown or harvested for “industrial” purposes, such as gain and fiber, would not be held to the same stringent standard and instead would be defined based on having a total THC level of not more than 0.3% on a dry-weight basis.

Farmers could still grow industrial hemp to produce microgreens or other edible hemp leaf products intended for human consumption that are “harvested” from an immature hemp plant under the Senate legislation. The House’s version uses the term “derived” from an immature hemp plant.

Also, the Senate’s version delays implementing the new definition for hemp for one year.

While cannabis and hemp industry stakeholders argue over whether a “loophole” persists in the 2018 Farm Bill, legislators on both sides of the aisle made their intent clear in the Senate body this week: the federal government does not want intoxicating hemp products to be sold to American consumers, especially not children.

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said during the committee markup that while he supports McConnell’s effort to clarify that legislative intent, he also fears the new definition would have another unintended consequence—this time on nonintoxicating hemp products.

“My concern about the amendment, or the definition as written, is that it addresses one very important issue, but causes another problem,” Merkley said. “The important issue it addresses is not allowing hemp to be grown to produce hallucinogenic products. And that, unfortunately, due to the magic of laboratories, has occurred.

“But then there are other products that come from hemp, such as CBD, that has in fact been a significant factor as a health care supplement in many, many products across America that does not have a hallucinogenic effect.”

Amid this worry, Merkley said he’d like to continue to work with McConnell over the coming year to develop a definition that does not potentially eliminate CBD hemp products from the U.S. marketplace.

Jonathan Miller, general counsel at the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, offered a similar take in a statement provided to Cannabis Business Times.

“Senator McConnell got hemp right in the 2018 Farm Bill, and again today when he said that we need to prohibit dangerous synthetic and copycat products, while keeping all hemp products out of the hands of children,” Miller said. “However, how that is done matters. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable believes that the best way to do that is through robust regulation, not prohibition.”

The hemp business advocacy organization believes that a blanket ban on more than 90% of consumable hemp products is not the right path, Miller said.

The American Trade Association of Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH) also weighed in on the Senate committee’s approval of the hemp language, denouncing the current market for lab-made, synthetic THC.

However, ATACH Vice President of Policy and State Advocacy Chris Lindsey had a different take on CBD, saying that the bill provides distinctions between intoxicating and nonintoxicating products, synthetic and natural products, and industrial and consumer products to create regulatory lanes.

“Natural and nonintoxicating hemp products, such as CBD, would be recognized and protected for the first time under federal law,” Lindsey said. “The bill stipulates that the Health and Human Services Secretary would set a limit for THC in these products, giving manufacturers a clear boundary and implementation timeline. These protections for CBD and similar products are explicit and intentional.”

In a committee report on the bill, the body’s members acknowledged the “growing consumer demand for American-made hemp products” as well as the need for “clear, science-based guidance” and regulations to help ensure consumer safety and confidence as businesses innovate to meet that demand.

To support that effort, the committee members directed the FDA to work with industry stakeholders, including small businesses, scientists, manufacturers, public health experts and academic researchers, on suggested limits for the amounts of THC or other cannabinoids in hemp-derived products. They intend for this collaboration to develop meaningful regulations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Furthermore, while the Senate legislation itself doesn’t intend to regulate federally illegal cannabis, the committee’s report on the bill sent a warning message to state-sanctioned businesses:

“The committee is concerned about the proliferation of products marketed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [FFDCA], including products containing derivatives of the cannabis plant. The committee is aware that non-FFDCA compliant products pose potential health and safety risks to consumers through misleading, unsubstantiated and false claims that cannabis and cannabis derivatives can treat serious and life-threatening diseases and conditions, including COVID–19 and cancer.”

On July 10, 2025, federal immigration agents backed by National Guard troops executed warrants at two Glass House Farms cannabis cultivation sites in Carpinteria and Camarillo, California. Roughly 100 agricultural workers were reportedly detained, according to Newsweek, before protests erupted and tear gas was deployed.

Glass House, one of California’s largest licensed cannabis producers, acknowledged the enforcement action on its official X account (formerly Twitter), stating:

“Yesterday, Glass House Brands received immigration and naturalization warrants. As per the law, we verified that the warrants were valid and we complied. Workers were detained and we are assisting to provide them legal representation. Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors. We do not expect this to affect operations moving forward.”

Graham Farrar, Glass House co-founder, added on X:

“Know there are lots of questions, we have a lot of them too, as we get more information we will update. Our team has been continually on site and we are focused on taking care of our people and our plants.”

At the time of publication, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had not issued a formal statement detailing the scope of the raid, the number of individuals detained, or the nature of the warrants served.

Editor’s Note (Updated July 11): Since publication, multiple credible sources (Reuters, LA Times) report that agents found 10 migrant minors—8 unaccompanied—on site during the raids. Federal authorities are now investigating possible child labor violations. There is no reporting to date that confirms any of the minors were employed at Glass House Farms; they were present during the operation.

In a public response, Glass House stated it “has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors.” High Times reached out to Glass House with specific questions for this article but did not receive a response by publication.

A Legacy Industry, A Federal Fault Line

The raid reignited long-standing tensions around cannabis legality, labor, and immigration enforcement in the U.S. While cannabis is legal in California, it remains federally prohibited, creating a legal paradox that leaves licensed businesses vulnerable to federal action.

Dr. Chanda Macias, a longtime advocate, reacted to the news in an exclusive comment to High Times:

“ICE raids targeting Latino communities cultivating alternative medicine are not just attacks on individuals, it is an attack on our community and healthcare. Our lives are not expendable, our connection to the U.S. is undeniable, our commitment to natural medicine impacts patients’ lives consistently.”

She recalled the harsh enforcement climate of past decades, “a time when raids on cannabis operations were constant.” Yet, she added, “our community is strong. We fought for medical and adult use, and we will fight for our Latino community.”

And closed with a message of resilience: “We will rise from this and believe redemption is coming.”

That view was echoed—and expanded—by Chris Day, CEO of the Global Cannabis Network Collective, who offered a more geopolitical take on the enforcement action:

“For once, cannabis is being treated the same as other industries, with complete disregard for existing laws or human rights. The current administration operates more like a police state. These militaristic tactics are meant to convey power and suppress dissent, while manipulating PR to appear as cleaning up a state the President sees as a threat. With ICE’s growing budgets, I don’t see this getting better anytime soon.”

From an advisory perspective, Day urged cannabis executives to rethink a U.S.-focused strategy:

“GCNC advises members to look globally for sustainable expansion. For U.S.-based operators, I urge caution: unless you have legal protection and deep capital, the risk is significant. The government’s unpredictability—from fiscal policy to law enforcement—makes the domestic market deeply unstable.”

A Blow to Labor Stability?

The industry response has not just focused on politics. It has also centered on workers.

Adrian Rocha, director of policy at the Last Prisoner Project, told High Times the raid represents a setback to cannabis labor normalization:

“Immigration raids like this one frequently ensnare individuals who are already disproportionately impacted by outdated and discriminatory drug policies. These actions not only perpetuate the systemic harms of cannabis criminalization, but also directly undermine the Last Prisoner Project’s mission to secure freedom, reunite families, and create opportunities for those most affected by the War on Drugs.”

Rocha also warned that such tactics could threaten reform momentum:

“Aggressive enforcement tactics, including immigration raids, can create a chilling effect on both workforce participation and broader efforts toward cannabis industry reform.”

Mary Bailey, Last Prisoner Project managing director, pointed to the case of Sandra Bowen, one of LPP’s constituents, who served nearly a decade in federal prison for a nonviolent cannabis offense. Upon her release, instead of reuniting with her children, she was handed over to ICE and deported to Jamaica. Others like Ricardo Ashmeade and Andrew Landells, he noted, still await deportation despite living in the U.S. for decades.

Industry Voices, Investor Risks

Seth Yakatan, a veteran investor and advisor in the cannabis space, viewed the situation through a business lens:

“It shows that the federal government has a labor agenda, and now our industry is in the crossfire.”

Yet, he doesn’t think immigration enforcement risk and cannabis federal illegality are correlated.

From a capital strategy lens, he emphasized:

“It depends on the company and its scope. Given the complexity of U.S. law, it is hard for smaller companies to even think outside of one state.”

Yet for Yakatan, the raid also served as a personal catalyst:

“That my resolve to fight for this industry was galvanized by all the support we have received.”

Protests, Tear Gas, and a Blocked Congressman

According to Newsweek, video footage appeared to show a protester firing a weapon at federal agents amid the Carpinteria raid. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks condemned the act and pledged “serious consequences.”

Tensions escalated as demonstrators clashed with officers, prompting the use of tear gas and crowd-control munitions. U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal was reportedly denied entry to the Carpinteria site during the raid.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass responded by signing Executive Directive No. 12, ordering city departments to prepare for further federal actions and safeguard immigrant communities. A federal judge also issued a restraining order against the LAPD after allegations of excessive force against journalists covering immigration protests.

Luna Stower, a longtime cannabis advocate and industry executive, focused on the human toll of the raids, calling them “a chilling reminder that legalization offers no protection when federal power decides to flex.”

She described the enforcement as unlawful and said members of Congress were blocked from entering the site. “Kids were crying for their parents who got ripped away,” she told High Times.

For Stower, the message behind the raid was clear: this wasn’t about compliance or child labor; it was about power. “Licensed operators and immigrant workers alike were treated as enemies, their greenhouses turned into battlegrounds,” she said. “It’s about control. About sending a message to the people who built California agriculture and the cannabis movement: your labor and lives are still disposable in the eyes of the Feds.”

She argued that the broader industry must reckon with its role in protecting its most vulnerable workers. “Cannabis cannot call itself a progressive industry while farmworkers are terrorized and communities are destabilized,” she said, calling for solidarity, urgent policy reform, and a deeper examination of the systemic issues that legalization alone won’t fix.

Policy, Labor, and National Supply Chains

Noemí Perez, a serial cannabis entrepreneur and advocate for immigrant rights, said the current wave of deportations is creating ripple effects across agriculture, including cannabis. While she acknowledged that immigration policy may be necessary, she emphasized that poor implementation is putting entire industries at risk.

“I am deeply concerned about how the deportation situation has been handled,” she said in an exclusive comment to High Times. “While the policy itself may be necessary, its implementation has disrupted many agricultural industries, including cannabis, where access to safe, regulated medicine for over 3 million Americans is being jeopardized.”

She cited Florida as a case study. Since the passage of SB 1718, the state has faced labor shortages across sectors, most notably in orange farming. “This not only threatens our food supply but also exacerbates challenges in an already struggling industry,” she said, noting that Florida has even resorted to importing oranges from Chile, despite having the climate and infrastructure to produce them domestically.

“This highlights the urgent need for more careful and balanced policymaking that takes into account the broader impact on people, agriculture and the economy,” Perez said.

She also addressed the responsibility of cannabis employers during uncertain times. “As employers, we have a duty to respond to the fears our teams are navigating every day,” she said. Her companies have been educating workers on what documentation is needed to safely transit public spaces and encouraging open dialogue.

“Beyond that, we’re providing resources on how to reconnect with loved ones in case of an emergency,” she added. “This moment calls for more than just compliance: it demands compassion, solidarity and action.”

The broader context of the raid is clear: the U.S. legal cannabis industry supports over 440,000 full-time jobs, with California employing an estimated 80,000 workers across cultivation, manufacturing and retail. Nationally, up to 70% of farmworkers are undocumented, highlighting how central immigration policy remains to labor stability in cannabis and beyond.

What Comes Next?

At press time, there is no indication that Glass House Farms faces criminal charges. The company says operations will continue, and legal aid is being provided to affected workers.

Still, this incident has sent a chill through the cannabis world: not because it was unexpected, but because it wasn’t.

This story reflects reporting available as of July 11 and will be updated as new facts or responses become available.

Photo: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Department of Homeland Security), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A retired professional football player who’s since become an advocate for marijuana policy reform met with top Trump administration officials at the White House to discuss the ongoing federal cannabis rescheduling process.

On Friday, former NFL player-turned-advocate Ricky Williams discussed the reform with high-level staffers across multiple agencies at the White House as part of a broader meeting that touched on cannabis.

Officials with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Energy and White House Counsels Office were involved in the conversations, Marijuana Moment has learned.

Williams, co-founder of Project Champion, told Marijuana Moment after the meeting that he’s “seen firsthand how cannabis can change lives—not just for wellness, but for opportunity.”

“When I left the NFL, people questioned my choices. But for me, cannabis was part of my journey to healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually,” he said. “I’m not alone in that experience. Veterans, cancer patients, and everyday Americans are all looking for safer, plant-based alternatives—and right now, federal law stands in the way.”

“Rescheduling cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III isn’t about politics—it’s about freedom. It’s about empowering small businesses, delivering tax relief, and creating jobs that count,” the athlete and influencer said. “It’s about aligning federal law with what’s already happening in 38 states. And most importantly, it’s about giving people safe, legal access to medicine that works.”

“This reform is smart, it’s strategic, and it’s long overdue. Rescheduling helps us build a stronger economy, protect our communities, and ensure this industry benefits all Americans—including communities of color that have historically been left behind. I’m proud to stand here today to say: this is how we put America First.”

Bruce Levell, who is a longtime advisor to Trump and has served as executive director of his National Diversity Coalition, was also at the meeting.

He separately said in a social media post that he was “thrilled to share a highly productive meeting with [White House] senior staff, discussing President Trump’s transformative bill and its profound impact on urban and rural America.”

“The Biden administration fell short on cannabis rescheduling, but we’re eager for our next conversation on moving to Schedule III,” he said, adding that Trump “is poised to deliver where others have not.”

Meanwhile, on Monday, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) again notified an agency judge that the marijuana rescheduling process remains stalled under the Trump administration.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was previously vocal about his support for legalizing cannabis, as well as psychedelics therapy. But during his Senate confirmation process in February, he said that he would defer to DEA on marijuana rescheduling in his new role.

Separately, former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) was reportedly photographed reviewing a document that appears to be a draft contract to provide services—including “administration-related guidance”—to a firm affiliated with the major marijuana company Trulieve. The visible portion of the document describes a lucrative bonus if a certain “matter resolves,” with an “additional ‘Super Success Fee’” for other “exclusive policy remedies.”

Last month, the former congressman reiterated his own support for rescheduling cannabis—suggesting in an interview with a Florida Republican lawmaker that the GOP could win more of the youth vote by embracing marijuana reform.

Gaetz also said last month that Trump’s endorsement of a Schedule III reclassification was essentially an attempt to shore up support among young voters rather than a sincere reflection of his personal views about cannabis.

A survey conducted by a GOP pollster affiliated with Trump that was released in April found that a majority of Republicans back a variety of cannabis reforms, including rescheduling. And, notably, they’re even more supportive of allowing states to legalize marijuana without federal interference compared to the average voter.

Meanwhile, Trump picked former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi (R) to run DOJ, and the Senate confirmed that choice. During her confirmation hearings, Bondi declined to say how she planned to navigate key marijuana policy issues. And as state attorney general, she opposed efforts to legalize medical cannabis.

Amid the stalled marijuana rescheduling process that’s carried over from the last presidential administration, congressional researchers recently reiterated that lawmakers could enact the reform themselves with “greater speed and flexibility” if they so choose, while potentially avoiding judicial challenges.

Meanwhile, a newly formed coalition of professional athletes and entertainers, led by retired boxer Mike Tyson, sent a letter to Trump on Friday—thanking him for past clemency actions while emphasizing the opportunity he has to best former President Joe Biden by rescheduling marijuana, expanding pardons and freeing up banking services for licensed cannabis businesses.