Federal Hemp Legislation: What Wisconsin Brewers Should Know

Although things have been relatively quiet in Madison during the election cycle, advocacy efforts haven't stopped. The Wisconsin Craft Beverage Coalition recently had a productive conversation with Representative Zimmerman and Representative August, the Assembly Majority Leader and presumptive Speaker for the next legislative session.

Turnout was lighter than we'd hoped, and we'd love to see more members participate in future conversations. Building relationships across the aisle is critical—regardless of political affiliation, bipartisan support is essential to protecting and advancing Wisconsin's craft beverage industry.

Meanwhile, there's been significant movement in Washington, D.C., where a bipartisan bill has been introduced to create a federal framework for regulating hemp-derived products. The proposal would:

• Create separate regulations for industrial hemp and consumable hemp products.

• Raise the legal hemp limit to 1% total THC and require testing throughout production and on finished products.

• Ban synthetic cannabinoids.

• Require hemp products to be grown, processed, and packaged in the U.S.

• Limit sales of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to adults 21 and older.

• Establish stricter packaging, labeling, and marketing standards.

• Direct the FDA to establish THC content limits.

• Create a federal three-tier system for hemp-derived beverages.

• Add federal taxes on THC-containing hemp products.

What does this mean for Wisconsin?

At this point, probably not much—at least not immediately. This bill, as written, faces an uphill battle in Congress, although similar language could find its way into future federal legislation.

If something like this were to become federal law, it would establish the nationwide baseline for hemp regulation. Wisconsin could then adopt its own state regulations, adding additional requirements where appropriate, but not replacing the federal standards. A good example is alcohol labels: the TTB requires label approvals for products sold across state lines, while Wisconsin doesn't require separate label approvals for products sold only within the state.

As these discussions continue at both the federal and state levels, the Guild will keep members informed on any developments that could impact Wisconsin breweries.