Congress promised to close the THC loophole. Our kids are still waiting

Former Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts argues that a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill has allowed unregulated hemp-derived THC products to be sold widely, including to children. He says Congress should close the loophole because the products can be addictive and may pose risks to young people.

Ricketts cites a study finding that more than one in 10 high school seniors have used hemp-derived THC products, and reports a rise of over 1,000% in accidental THC poisonings among children under five. He describes children eating high-dose gummies packaged to resemble branded sweets, and says a bipartisan Senate vote had set a 12 November 2026 deadline to bring the industry into line, but senators delayed it in August.