It was kinda like this-

The provision to ban most intoxicating hemp-derived THC products in the federal spending bill was primarily advanced by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and was strongly supported by a coalition of state attorneys general and anti-marijuana prohibition groups. 

Who Put It In and Why?

• Mitch McConnell (R-KY): McConnell was a leading proponent of closing the “loophole” that allowed intoxicating THC products derived from hemp to be sold nationwide. While he was a key figure in legalizing industrial hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill, his aim was to support non-intoxicating uses (fiber, grain), not the consumable products that subsequently boomed.
• Other Supporters: The measure had “strong support” and was advocated for by a bipartisan group of 38 state attorneys general. Groups like Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), a non-profit prohibition group, also pushed for the change, arguing the market was unregulated and that many products were synthetic, effectively circumventing the intent of the 2018 Farm Bill. 

The Motivation

The primary motivations for including the provision were to:

• Close the “Loophole”: Proponents argued that the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight, created an unintended loophole. This allowed for the widespread sale of consumable products like delta-8 THC gummies and drinks, which are intoxicating and were being sold without federal regulation, often in places like gas stations and online.
• Address Public Health/Safety Concerns: Critics of the unregulated market expressed concerns about the lack of consistent age verification, proper labeling, and third-party testing, arguing the products posed a public health threat.
• Preserve Legal Non-Intoxicating Hemp: The language was intended to distinguish between intoxicating THC products and traditional, non-intoxicating industrial hemp and CBD products, aiming to preserve the latter market.
• Circumvent Committee Process: By attaching the provision to the “must-pass” government spending bill, lawmakers avoided the standard committee process and floor debate that might have otherwise stalled the measure. 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/norml.org/blog/2012/03/14/senator-mitch-mcconnell-thinks-pot-kills-time-for-a-realitycheck/comment-page-1/amp/

Mitch McConnell has repeatedly and consistently attacked marijuana and intoxicating THC products throughout his career, though a specific count of these instances is not available. His opposition is well-documented through his voting record, public statements, and legislative actions aimed at restricting the broader cannabis industry. 

Key instances include:

• General Prohibitionist Stance: Throughout his decades in the Senate, McConnell has maintained a generally prohibitionist stance on marijuana, opposing broader legalization efforts and using his leadership position to block votes on marijuana-related bills, such as the SAFE Banking Act.
• Public Statements: He has made numerous public statements expressing concern about the dangers of marijuana and other narcotics, at one point in 2012 suggesting cannabis use could lead to “death”. He has often drawn a sharp distinction between industrial hemp (which he championed) and what he calls its “illicit cousin,” marijuana.
• Legislative Efforts against Hemp-derived THC: While McConnell was a key figure in legalizing industrial hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill to aid Kentucky farmers, he has since actively sought to close the “loophole” that allowed for the creation and sale of intoxicating hemp-derived products like delta-8 THC.
• Recent Push for Stricter Regulations: In 2025, he has made a concerted effort to include language in government funding bills to ban hemp products with more than 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container, a move the hemp industry warns would destroy a significant portion of their market. He has argued that these products, sometimes packaged to resemble popular snacks and candies, put children in danger and were not the “original intent” of the 2018 bill. 

Every one 100 years old or older ought not be on Congress…

A complete timeline of Mitch McConnell’s actions and statements concerning marijuana and THC reveals a long history of prohibitionist views, followed by a nuanced approach to industrial hemp that evolved into a targeted effort against intoxicating hemp-derived products.

Early Career (Pre-2010s)

• General Prohibition Stance: Throughout much of his early career, McConnell maintained a consistently strong anti-drug stance, generally opposing any measures that would legalize or decriminalize marijuana. 

The 2010s: Vocal Opposition and Hemp Champion

• 2012: Public Health Warnings: McConnell made public statements cautioning against the “detrimental effects” of drugs like marijuana, citing health risks including short-term memory loss, lung disease, and “even death”.
• September 2014: Against Legalization: He explicitly stated he was “firmly against legalizing marijuana,” arguing that doing so would “completely transform your society in a way that… most Kentuckians would not agree with”. He voted no on amendments to protect state medical marijuana programs and increase veterans’ access to medical cannabis.
• March 2015: Co-sponsorship of the Industrial Hemp Farming Act: In a turn related to agricultural interests in Kentucky, McConnell co-sponsored legislation to reclassify industrial hemp (cannabis with less than 0.3% THC) as a legal agricultural commodity, separate from controlled substances.
• June 2018: Championing the Farm Bill: As Senate Majority Leader, McConnell was the key figure in pushing for the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized the cultivation of industrial hemp. His focus was on providing a new crop for Kentucky farmers previously reliant on tobacco, not on the broader cannabis market.
• September 2019: Unintended Consequences: Reports emerged that the legalization of hemp was making it harder for law enforcement to distinguish between legal hemp and illicit marijuana, as field tests could only detect the presence of THC, not its concentration. McConnell acknowledged the need to address “glitches” but his primary focus remained on protecting legal hemp shipments. 

The 2020s: Targeting the “Loophole”

• July 2025 (Ongoing in 2025): Calls to Close the Loophole: McConnell began a significant push to regulate the market for intoxicating hemp-derived products (such as delta-8 THC, gummies, and beverages) that had emerged due to the 2018 Farm Bill’s legal loophole.
• July 2025: Op-eds and Committee Action: He published an op-ed and spoke in a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting, citing cases of children accidentally ingesting products marketed similarly to popular snacks as a “real problem”. He argued these products were an “unintended consequence” that needed to be addressed to protect public health.
• November 2025: Introduction of Restrictive Legislation: McConnell inserted a provision into a government funding bill that would redefine legal hemp products by limiting total THC content to 0.4 milligrams per container, effectively banning nearly all existing consumable hemp products.
• November 2025: Senate Passage of the Ban: The Senate advanced the funding bill with McConnell’s provision included, despite strong opposition from fellow Kentucky Senator Rand Paul and industry groups who argue the measure will destroy the $28 billion hemp market. The ban includes a one-year grace period before taking effect at the end of 2026, allowing the industry time to fight for different regulations.