MARIETTA, Pa. (WHTM) – Hemp farmers start planting in May, but there’s a lot of uncertainty this year because a federal hemp ban is set to take effect in November. That could disrupt the supply chain and affects retailers.
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social last week with a reminder about the executive order he signed in December that called for research and innovation for hemp-derived CBD. The president said he is “calling on Congress to update the Law to ensure that Americans can continue to access the full-spectrum CBD products they have come to rely on, and that help them, while preserving Congress’s intent to restrict the sale of products that pose Health risks.”
Thanks for signing up!
Watch for us in your inbox.
Subscribe Now
This comes as Medicaid starts to cover hemp and CBD products.
Endo co-owner Jake Sitler is working on getting his new location open on Front Street in Marietta, Lancaster County. The cafe sells hemp-derived sparkling beverages and other products.
“The benefit of regulating hemp appropriately, is it’s scheduled, and the best thing about that is when a product is descheduled, you get access to banking, the banks can access it, so you can use credit card payments,” Sitler said. “Pennsylvania is going to be able to create a modern access of adult use that will have a federal standing behind what hemp actually is, and they can bring that into the fold when they’re writing their new legislation.”
He added that there is also tax relief, which makes it easier for businesses to survive.
Dan Bartkowiak with the Pennsylvania Family Institute said more restrictions should be added instead.
These are the hemp products that could be banned by Congress
“What is Pennsylvania’s priority? Is it public health and safety in our communities or is it enriching some in an addiction for profit industry, frankly, so again, intoxicating hemp products are things that are causing harm,” Bartkowiak said. “There’s valid concerns to put restrictions on hemp products that are intoxicating, that are appealing to kids.”
Sitler said customers have to be 21 to consume one of Endo’s hemp-derived drinks.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.