McConnell, Paul clash over Senate provision that critics say will destroy US hemp industry (intoxicating levels of thc)

wkyufm ^ | Nov 11, 2025 | Kentucky public radio

[backpacker_c]

Paul and the Kentucky Hemp Association say McConnell’s language banning the sale of hemp-derived products that include more than .4 milligrams of THC per container will destroy the entire hemp and CBD industry — in a blow to farmers, businesses and consumers.

McConnell says his provision targets “intoxicating THC products” that were made legal in the 2018 Farm Bill that launched the hemp industry, closing what’s often been referred to as its “loophole.” He says that would crack down on synthetic products with intoxicating amounts of THC — the psychoactive component in cannabis plants — while preserving non-intoxicating CBD and industrial hemp products.

Paul and many in the hemp industry have sounded the alarm about McConnell’s efforts since this summer and warned that it would actually devastate the entire hemp industry, as CBD products contain small amounts of THC and would be swept up in a national ban.

[backpacker_c]

The push for cbd has been a way to get thc into products, and push to expand marijuana use.

rand paul wants cbd product (derived from hemp) to have enough thc to get you stoned....

And, if you get people stoned, they don't care much about anything, except getting and staying stoned....

Which means they'll vote and support democrats and leftist who advocate and make it easier for them to get and stay stoned...

[llevrok]

All the US problems solved so now they argue about hemp?

[Jeff Chandler]

Dude!

[struggle]

It’s better to have ways to get stoned that involve government surveillance of safety and other issued than to return it back to the street. If there were a lot of horror stories about CBD THC, then I’d be concerned, but I haven’t heard any.

[Ikeon]

Great, back to the never ending war on drugs and banning the least of our worries- hemp..

because limited use stoners are easier to prosecute than a fentynal importer. AND Stoners dont run or shoot at you.

[Pontiac]

And, if you get people stoned, they don't care much about anything, except getting and staying stoned....

NOT TRUE DUDE!

Did you forget about the Munchies?

McDonalds, Burger King and Wendy's are just barely hanging on and you want to take away WEED?!!!

;)

[Pearls Before Swine]

What’s in it for McConnell?

[FreeReign]

Looks overcast, not sunny. So then why the shades?

[Antoninus]

The fact that Rand Paul and the Libertine-arians are always pushing for more drugs is a massive turn-off.

Find something else to fixate on, dude.

[Codeflier]

THC derived from hemp has been seriously cutting into alcohol sales. The bourbon lobby is pushing McConnel hard for this ban.. R. Paul is actually going against the Kentucky “grain” on this one.

[bigbob]

File thins in the ever-expanding file labelled “WTF is wrong with Rand Paul”.

[blitz128]

Paul’s weird behavior explained, he’s a pot head😂

[xp38]

Is he wanting a harumph about hemp?

[Antoninus]

If there were a lot of horror stories about CBD THC, then I’d be concerned, but I haven’t heard any.

There are plenty if you go looking for them. THC is a neuro-toxin, particularly harmful to developing brains. Then, there are the quality of life issues. In states which legalized weed, like my pathetic home state of NJ, the whole state stinks of the stuff, the stench of which is much worse than the tobacco smoke that it replaced.

Someone should do a correlation between those on public assistance and those who smoke weed daily. There's pretty clearly a high correspondence.

[Glad2bnuts]

The amount of THC in MJ to get you stoned has to be in the 10%+ range. The MJ stores in states that sell weed legally...not that I agree with that.... is 20-28%

Tell Mitch to retire or take a long nap, CBD is a godsend for those with chronic pain. It gives you no high, and works with dogs with bad hips and chronic pain just as well, and keeps them calm in fireworks season.

[Empire_of_Liberty]

Anything that tries to throw relevance at McConnell should be viewed with suspicion.

[packrat35]

So this explains the weird support some here on FR have for Rand Paul. They are a bunch of potheads wanting their next fix.

[aimhigh]

This will reduce homelessness. Great!

[FamiliarFace]

I don’t know what Paul’s eye problem is, but my husband has become very light sensitive. He had a macular pucker which has been repaired, but he still wears sunglasses outside on cloudy days.

[Dr. Sivana]

It’s better to have ways to get stoned that involve government surveillance of safety and other issued than to return it back to the street. If there were a lot of horror stories about CBD THC, then I’d be concerned, but I haven’t heard any.

I live in Arizona. We went to recreational pot, and our quality of life has gotten worse. Our old house with eight itinerant neighbors smoked outside constantly and the stench hit our yard. My son had pot smoke blown into his face at the nearby park. The highway billboards look like a dystopia, pushing tort lawyers, pot, and casinos. The commercialization leads to BOGO offers, gummies, cheeseburgers, candy, coffee. FAR FEWER advertising and warning restrulictions than on tobacco products. Some of my son’s friends reek of the stuff because the dad smokes indoors. Phoenix is feeling more like a third world country. Legal pot means morepot, and more open pot. And it is STILL a street drug, too.