The hemp and cannabinoid industry in the United States has just entered a stage of significant uncertainty and tension. The approval of a federal ban on THC products derived from hemp, signed into the new budget package by Donald Trump, has sparked a wave of reactions as it represents an unexpected turn that will completely reshape the market as it has been known since 2018.
Although the debate has focused on political and economic aspects, there is still considerable confusion about what this ban really means, why it affects so many products, and how it could impact both businesses and consumers.
What exactly happened?
In November 2025, the U.S. government included in its annual budget a provision that prohibits any hemp-derived product containing THC, even in minimal or naturally occurring amounts. This change has become a central topic in the Trump vs THC debate because it directly impacts a market that had been growing for years without unified regulation.
At the federal level, the regulation implies that:
- Most oils, gummies, flowers, beverages, vapes, and extracts will no longer be legal.
- An extremely strict limit is established: 0.4 mg of total THC per package.
- All types of THC are counted: delta-9, delta-8, delta-10, THCA, THC-O, and others.
- Cannabinoids that do not naturally occur in the plant or require synthetic processes are prohibited.
In practice, this law targets products that were previously legally sold under the “hemp-derived” label, a market that grew explosively due to the regulatory gap left by the 2018 Farm Bill .
The measure will not take effect immediately; instead, there will be a 12-month transition period to withdraw or reformulate products. For many manufacturers, companies, and distributors in the sector, this transition will be crucial to understand how everything related to the Trump vs THC ban evolves and how the industry adapts to the new scenario.

Before we continue: what is THC and why does it matter so much?
To understand why the debate has gained so much attention, it is important to recall what THC is and why it is present in so many hemp-derived products.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. It produces euphoric effects but also has medicinal uses such as pain relief and appetite stimulation.
There are different types:
- Delta-9 THC: the most well-known and potent.
- Delta-8 THC: milder and very popular following hemp legalization.
- Delta-10, THCA, THC-O, and others: emerged due to regulatory gaps.
Even industrial hemp contains natural traces of THC. This explains why the new ban affects so many products, even those not considered “marijuana,” because the hemp plant is never completely THC-free.
That is why this new regulation, governed by the Trump THC Law, impacts products that were never considered recreational.

Why was this ban introduced?
The discussion surrounding Trump, THC, and the U.S. market did not arise out of nowhere. For years, the hemp industry grew faster than its regulations, leading to several issues:
- Closing the legal gap from the 2018 Farm Bill: The law allowed hemp cultivation and marketing with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC but did not regulate other isomers, allowing the emergence of “legal” psychoactive products.
- Increased use among minors and unreliable labeling: Some packaging mimicked candy or did not properly indicate potency.
- Competition with regulated cannabis: State producers reported unfair competition, lower taxes, and fewer controls.
- Regulatory chaos: Each state applies different rules, creating disorder.
The sum of these problems drove this measure, which many citizens and brands summarize in the Trump THC debate to understand its scope. With this ban, Congress aims to “bring order” to a market that has expanded excessively.
Economic impact: a multibillion-dollar industry at risk
The hemp market in the U.S. exceeds $28 billion annually. With the implementation of this regulation linked to the Trump vs THC debate, it is estimated that up to 95% of current products could disappear.
The new Trump law forces thousands of companies to eliminate entire product lines. Additionally, thousands of farmers who invested in THCA-rich varieties or CBD with THC traces could lose their crops. Meanwhile, brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce businesses focused on alternative cannabinoids such as delta-8 may also be forced to close.
How will this affect international online trade?
European companies exporting to the U.S. will also need to adapt. Key changes include:
- Reformulations to comply with the 0.4 mg total THC per package limit.
- Stricter certificates and lab analyses.
- Risk of customs holds and mass product withdrawals.
- Adjustments and changes in customer communication to clarify which products remain legal.
Some companies already refer to this process as part of the new framework defined by the Trump THC Law, even if only descriptively.
Can the Trump vs THC measure be reversed?
Although the law has already been passed, there are proposals to modify or relax the regulation, nothing is certain for now. Some lawmakers are seeking changes, and several states want their own exceptions.
Until new developments occur, the transition will continue, and the Trump vs THC debate will remain part of the public conversation.

A historic change for the cannabis industry
The Trump ban on hemp-derived THC in the United States is not just a legal adjustment. It marks a turning point for the entire hemp, cannabinoid, and online commerce sector.
In the coming months, we will see massive reformulations, strategic shifts in many companies, new political and legal disputes, and above all, a complete transformation of the market as we know it.
What is clear is that nothing will be the same. Understanding legal limits and communicating them accurately will be essential to survive in this new landscape, where the concept of Trump vs THC will continue to dominate public debate.





