The clock is officially ticking for intoxicating hemp products in America, a storyline that captivated Cannabis Business Times’ readers with six related articles landing in the Top 10 in November.
Taking the No. 1 spot as the most-read article for the month was the breaking news covering the U.S. Senate’s 60-40 procedural vote for a continuing resolution to reopen the government. That deal to end the shutdown included the hemp industry-altering provisions to ban products containing synthetic (i.e., delta-8 THC) and unnatural (i.e., HHC) cannabinoids, as well as any consumable products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC.
Hemp industry stakeholder reactions to President Donald Trump signing the federal hemp product ban into law three days later took the No. 2 spot. Under the appropriations package, hemp-derived cannabinoid products that don’t adhere to the government’s new definitions for hemp will be federally illegal starting Nov. 13, 2026.
“Congress’ approval of a federal spending package that includes a ban on hemp-derived THC products underscores the fractured and unsustainable approach to cannabis undertaken by the federal government,” said Michelle Rutter Friberg, director of government relations at the National Cannabis Industry Association. “Today’s action is another reminder that the existing system, which treats hemp and marijuana as if they are unrelated, is simply not working for anyone.”
In the No. 3 spot this month was a piece on a controversial decision by Darin Smith, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming, to direct federal law enforcement agencies in his jurisdiction to begin “rigorously” prosecuting individuals for simple cannabis possession offenses on federal land. Smith claimed he received notification from the Department of Justice that “rescinded” Biden-era guidance that had directed U.S. attorneys not to prosecute such offenses. The only problem is that no such guidance is known to exist from the prior administration.
Also landing in November’s Top 10 was a press release from the Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association urging voters to withdraw their signatures for a prohibitionist petition if they felt tricked, as well as stories on a U.S. congresswoman’s attempt to undo the federal hemp product ban and on the Republican party’s dwindling support for cannabis legalization under Trump.
Don’t miss out on the rest of our Top 10 stories from November 2025.
