The legislation to reopen the government also included strict new rules for hemp products that critics say threaten to outlaw mainstream drinks, creams, gummies, oils and vapes.
The provision closes a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed hemp-derived products containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC to be sold.
THC is the substance that is primarily responsible for marijuana's trademark psychological effects. Hemp is a plant related to marijuana that produces THC at a much lower level.
The 2018 law spawned a whole industry, with some products marketed for health reasons (often with terms like "hemp" or "CBD" in their descriptions) and others marketed as alternatives to marijuana (sometimes sold in vape shops).
The new law lowers the amount of THC allowed in hemp products. Even products not marketed for their THC content may face legal limbo.
