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Preparing for a Federal Crackdown on Hemp
The 2026 ban is coming. Here’s what we’re doing now—and why we’re not giving up.
In 2018, The Georgia Hemp Company™ was built on a dream of access, of wellness, and of a fair marketplace for one of the most versatile plants on earth. Co-founder Joe Salome has helped shape this industry from the ground up, guiding it from the shadows of legal uncertainty into mainstream partnerships—including a groundbreaking alliance with the Atlanta Braves, where he even threw out the first pitch in 2023.
But now, that dream is under direct threat.
The Looming Ban on Hemp THC Products
Tucked into the recently passed government funding bill is a redefinition of hemp that will outlaw nearly all hemp-derived THC products by November 2026. Gummies, beverages, topicals—anything with more than 0.4mg of THC per container will become federally illegal. This change isn’t just a policy shift. It’s an existential blow to an industry supporting over 300,000 jobs and generating tens of billions of dollars nationwide.
And for companies like ours, it’s déjà vu.
“When Georgia outlawed THCA flower last year, we lost half our business,” Salome shared in a recent interview with MJBizDaily.
Salome shared in a recent interview with MJBizDaily.
“But at least that gave us a framework to operate under. This time, the outlook is worse.”
A Year to Pivot, a Mission to Preserve
Until that deadline hits, The Georgia Hemp Company™ is staying the course—but with eyes wide open. Plans to expand into major retail and launch new THC beverages have been put on hold. Instead, we’re focusing on continuing to serve our loyal customers, preparing for regulatory shifts, and using this next year to stock up, speak up, and stand up for the future of hemp.
“The mentality is to procure as much inventory as possible and continue to provide, whether for my employees or our customers,” Salome said.
“At the end of the day, industries will always survive—even if brands don’t.”
That’s the tough truth behind this uncertainty: brands, storefronts, and livelihoods hang in the balance. But so does innovation. And access. And relief—for seniors, veterans, patients, and wellness seekers across the country.
Is This Really a Ban? Or a Shot Clock?
Some in the industry see this as a “grace period” rather than a guillotine. The FDA is expected to release a list of approved cannabinoids within the next 90 days, and advocates are lobbying for rules that would protect beverages, topicals, and lower-dose edibles.
That’s the hope. But hope isn’t a strategy.
For now, The Georgia Hemp Company™ is treating this as real—and rallying the community around a simple message: Regulation, not prohibition.
What’s Next for Georgia’s Hemp Industry?
That depends on several unanswered questions:
- Will federal authorities enforce this new definition—or leave it to the states?
- Will Georgia regulators maintain their own path forward?
- Will some products be carved out as acceptable while others are banned outright?
The answers are coming—but likely not until mid-2026. Until then, many companies are choosing to “let it ride,” continuing operations while monitoring developments at the federal and state levels.
We’re doing the same. With contingency plans in place, flexible contracts, and community support, we’re doing what Georgia hemp businesses have always done: adapting.
What You Can Do
If you’re a customer, advocate, or fellow hemp business owner, now is the time to act:
- Stock up on your favorite products while you can
- Contact your elected officials and urge them to support sensible hemp regulation
- Support advocacy groups fighting for fair laws
- Spread the word—because most people don’t even know this ban is coming
At The Georgia Hemp Company™, we’re not backing down. We’re pivoting with purpose, fighting for the future, and staying rooted in what matters: plant power, people-first service, and access for all.
No matter what happens next, we’ll keep showing up.
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