Congressman Tim Moore Joins Congressman Jim Baird in Introducing Legislation to Delay Hemp Ban

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14) joined Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) in introducing the Hemp Planting Predictability Act. This bipartisan legislation intends to provide farmers and small business owners more certainty and stability, while giving Congress more time to develop a thoughtful, long-term framework, by instituting a two-year extension on the hemp provision passed in the FY2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations bill that restricts the definition of legal hemp.

"I'm proud to support this legislation to delay the harmful hemp provision and give Congress the time we need to do this right," said Congressman Moore. "A decision with major consequences for farmers and small businesses belongs in the Agriculture Committee, instead of being buried in a government funding bill. I'll keep fighting to ensure North Carolina's hemp growers have a seat at the table and aren't regulated out of business."

"Planting and growing crops requires planning well in advance," said Congressman Baird. "Congress created a regulatory environment in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed for certain investments, and farmers were operating within this environment. The hemp provision included in the Continuing Resolution and Appropriations bills passed in November 2025 disrupted planting decisions that had already been made. Congress should not have passed such a sweeping policy change that upends a growing industry. Instead, Congress should have given farmers more time, creating a more stable environment for farmers to modify their future planting decisions. I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure farmers have predictability and sufficient time to adjust to new laws that affect their livelihood."

This legislation was also cosponsored by House Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer (KY-01), House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (MN-02), Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14), and Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08).

"Recent changes to hemp production and processing regulations pulled the rug out from under Minnesota's hemp producers, craft brewers, and retailers at a time when too many business owners are already dealing with high prices and uncertainty," said House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Craig."I'm proud to be introducing this common-sense legislation with my colleague Rep. Baird to fight these ill-thought-out policies and support the farmers and small business owners who make up Minnesota's $200 million hemp industry."

"I'm proud to work alongside Congressman Baird and local businesses in Colorado's 8th District on this much-needed fix to support responsible hemp production," said Congressman Evans. "Colorado's 8th District is home to 59 operating hemp facilities - including processors, retailers, extraction sites, and ingredient labs - that play a critical role in our state's economy and help thousands of veterans access products that improve their physical and mental health. While we develop a long-term regulatory framework that improves public safety and grows domestic supply chains, this bill provides a path forward for the hemp industry, supports local jobs, and strengthens American competition."