04 May The War on Hemp: What States Are Banning and Restricting the Industry
Hemp has always been a disruptor — healing people, opening minds, and offering an accessible alternative to overpriced pharmaceutical drugs and corporate cannabis. At Chillum, we’ve always stood by the plant. But now, hemp is under attack.
Across the country, lawmakers are trying to ban or restrict the hemp industry by targeting products like delta-8 THC, THC beverages, and even full-spectrum extracts. These products are legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, but that hasn’t stopped states from passing reactionary laws to protect monopolies and punish small businesses like ours.
Who’s Banning Hemp?
The following states have made hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 illegal, often with vague language and little scientific justification:
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Montana
- Nevada
- New York
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
In these states, consumers lose access to federally legal, naturally derived products just because they might feel a little too good. The real reason? These products compete with tightly regulated cannabis industries that don’t want the competition.
Who’s Restricting Hemp?
Other states haven’t gone for a full ban — yet. But they’ve still put major restrictions in place:
- California and Missouri have banned hemp products with “detectable” intoxicants, even if those products are federally legal and derived from natural sources.
- Texas is pushing legislation that would ban inhalable hemp products and limit THC content in edibles, targeting veterans and patients who rely on these products for relief.
- Florida, our home state, continues trying to restrict hemp. Though their most recent attempt to pass a restrictive bill failed, they’ve made it clear they’re coming back for another round.
- Tennessee, Arkansas, South Dakota, and Virginia are all considering or enforcing similar laws.
- Iowa has even gone so far as to cap THC in hemp drinks to just 4 milligrams per can.
These laws don’t protect consumers — they restrict access, raise prices, and hurt the local businesses who built the hemp industry from the ground up.
Why This Matters
At Chillum, we’ve been fighting for hemp and mushroom access since day one. We were the first CBD dispensary in Tampa Bay and the first legal mushroom dispensary in the country. We’ve watched hemp go from taboo to mainstream — and now back under attack.
This isn’t about safety. It’s about control. Lawmakers, lobbyists, and corporate interests are afraid of what happens when people realize nature has always had the answer.
If you’re in Florida or any state facing these restrictions, now’s the time to get involved. Talk to your representatives. Support local hemp shops. Demand access. Because the plant belongs to the people — not the politicians.
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