Sen. Braun and Sen. Tester introduce bipartisan bill to cut red tape, support industrial hemp producers

Sen. Braun and Sen. Tester introduce bipartisan bill to cut red tape, support industrial hemp producers

March 26, 2023

WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Braun and Jon Tester introduced their bipartisan Industrial Hemp Act to ease the burden on farmers who grow grain and fiber hemp, or “industrial hemp.” The Senators’ bill would exempt farmers exclusively growing industrial hemp from the burdensome background checks and costly sampling and testing protocols required for farmers growing cannabinoid hemp like that used in the extraction of CBD.   

“It’s important that we set Hoosier farmers up for success by cutting burdensome regulations and red tape. This legislation will expand opportunities for industrial hemp producers in Indiana and across the country and allow them to tap into one of the fastest growing agricultural markets.”—Sen. Mike Braun

“Montana farmers don’t need government bureaucrats putting unnecessary burdens on their operations. It’s time we cut red tape, and make it easier for industrial hemp farmers to get their product to market. My bipartisan bill builds on Montana’s leadership on hemp policy and creates good-paying jobs for folks across rural America.”—Sen. Jon Tester

“The Midwest Hemp Council applauds Senator Braun’s and Senator Tester’s unwavering commitment to helping American farmers rebuild a domestic supply chain of hemp grain and fiber crops. The Industrial Hemp Act of 2023 will reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers for our farmers and provide them with the certainty needed to continue to invest their time and treasure into meeting the growing demand for hemp grain and fiber crops across the country. It’s time to unleash the ingenuity of the American farmer,” said Justin Swanson, President of the Midwest Hemp Council.

While the end-use products that result from industrial hemp production have always been exempt from the Controlled Substances Act, under current U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rules, all hemp crops are subject to a compliance test. Under the Industrial Hemp Act, industrial hemp farms would still be subject to review to ensure that farmers are meeting strict compliance standards, but would not be required to undergo background checks and testing protocols if their crops are deemed compliant. Producers who violate these rules would be barred from participating in the hemp program for five years.

Senators Tester and Braun have led the charge to defend and expand opportunities for American family farms. Just this week, the Senators joined their colleagues Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) in introducing the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act to prohibit America’s foreign adversaries including Iran, North Korea, China and Russia from purchasing or leasing U.S. farmland. Their bill would also prohibit their participation in the USDA agricultural programs for farmers. These restrictions do not include United States citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents.

Bill text here.