Language meant to crack down on producers who create intoxicating products without being subject to the same rules or taxes as marijuana was dropped from the current agriculture funding bill in the Senate.
The provision had an outspoken opponent in Sen. Paul, who warned that its restrictions could destroy the hemp industry.
McConnell fired back at Paul in a floor speech.
"It's one thing to call yourself an advocate for hemp farmers. But if you didn't support the 2014 pilot program, and you didn't support the 2018 farm bill that legalized hemp production, and you would have blocked a major step forward on this appropriations package — it had included my language to close the bad actor loophole — then what does being an advocate actually mean?" the senior senator said.
McConnell claims producers are taking advantage of the loophole to sell products more intoxicating than marijuana and, in some cases, marketing THC-enhanced items to young people.
Though there may not be much agreement in the Senate, the wide-ranging hemp product ban is still in the House version of the bill and could make its way into the books.