Hemp businesses are unsure of their futures, according to an Isthmus report. Federal changes could make hemp-based products illegal by November 2026.
“We’re not planning on much of a future, unfortunately,” Matt Nelson, co-founder of Herbal Aspect, located at 735 S Gammon Road, told Isthmus. “We’ve been building this business for five years. You know, it’s a seven-figure business… and now for no good reason, it’s all being undone.”
Nelson faces laying off 22 employees unless changes to the THC ban placed into a bill to reopen the government during its record shutdown are made.
Products have been sold since the 2018 Farm Bill effectively legalized hemp-derived THC products. This led to the proliferation of delta-9 THC and delta-8 products.
State legislation could provide regulations and the industry to continue. The Madison city council approved age restrictions, signage requirements and penalties for noncompliant hemp businesses in November.
And a bipartisan state proposal co-authored by Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, and Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc, would establish a 21-and-over age restriction, amongst other requirements to keep the industry alive.
