How US hemp ban could criminalize CBD products – and derail Medicare plan
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services launched a pilot program to reimburse patients for hemp-derived products like CBD, aiming to assess their impact on healthcare costs. However, a federal hemp ban set to take effect in November 2026 could criminalize most hemp products, including non-intoxicating CBD, undermining the program. Lawmakers have introduced legislation to delay or replace the ban with regulation, but political gridlock has stalled progress.
- ▪The Medicare and Medicaid pilot program would reimburse eligible patients up to $500 annually for hemp-derived products like CBD.
- ▪The 2026 hemp ban, passed in November 2025, would make all products containing more than 0.4mg of any THC federally illegal.
- ▪Jonathan Miller of US Hemp Roundtable stated the ban would criminalize the vast majority of current hemp products, including most CBD items.
- ▪Senator Ron Wyden and Representative Jim Baird have introduced bills to regulate or delay the ban, but neither has advanced due to congressional polarization.
- ▪A lawsuit by anti-cannabis groups sought to block the pilot program, claiming it promotes soon-to-be-illegal substances, but the court denied the request.
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Lawmakers have been trying to pass legislation to delay the hemp ban or replace it with regulation since it first passed. Photograph: Iana Kunitsa/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenLawmakers have been trying to pass legislation to delay the hemp ban or replace it with regulation since it first passed. Photograph: Iana Kunitsa/Getty ImagesUS newsHow US hemp ban could criminalize CBD products – and derail Medicare planPilot program to reimburse patients for hemp-derived products could be undermined by ban passed by CongressHannah Harris GreenSun 17 May 2026 07.00 EDTLast modified on Sun 17 May 2026 07.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently started a new pilot to reimburse patients for hemp-derived products – like CBD – but a hemp…
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