The White House is actively lobbying Congress to delay a ban on certain intoxicating hemp products that was approved last year, a move that would benefit the son-in-law of President Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles. The proposed postponement has been included in a stopgap spending bill currently under consideration by the Senate, aimed at preventing a government shutdown at the end of September.
The delay, set to push back the ban’s implementation from Nov. 12 to Dec. 11, would affect products containing threshold amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. The ban targets a multibillion-dollar industry that markets hemp-derived beverages, edibles, and vapes through convenience stores and vape shops, which operate under considerably lighter regulations than licensed cannabis dispensaries. However, the measure would still permit the ban to proceed as scheduled on fully synthetic THC products not derived from the hemp plant.
The campaign to push back the ban has been partially spearheaded by Bret Worley, who is married to Caroline Wiles, the daughter of Susie Wiles. Mr. Worley leads companies based in Texas and Colorado that distribute intoxicating hemp items branded under names such as “Trainwreck” and “Blueberry Cookies.” While President Trump reportedly does not consume intoxicating substances, the administration’s support for hemp aligns with its generally permissive stance on various wellness products and intoxicants, including kratom, peptides, and flavored vaping products—a position that some public health experts have criticized.
The White House has defended its position as consistent with the president’s prior moves to ease cannabis restrictions and as being in the public interest, citing potential benefits for veterans and patients. White House spokesman Kush Desai emphasized that any influence by Mr. Worley’s involvement was unrelated to the administration’s policy choices. Meanwhile, past drug policy official Kevin Saheb described the administration’s support for delaying restrictions as indicative of "pay-to-play drug policy," suggesting the policy reflects lobbying interests rather than public health evidence.
The inclusion of the hemp provision in the broader spending bill has drawn opposition from segments of Congress and the cannabis industry, which views intoxicating hemp as a competitive threat, as well as some alcohol producers. Senate Republicans Ted Budd of North Carolina, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, and Mike Rounds of South Dakota have voiced concerns. Senator Budd plans to introduce an amendment to remove the delay, warning that postponing restrictions could jeopardize the wellness and safety of Americans.
Susie Wiles personally visited Capitol Hill last week to advocate for the president’s legislative agenda, which includes the stopgap spending bill. However, White House officials stated she did not specifically lobby on intoxicating hemp or the proposed ban delay.
As debate continues, industry leaders appear optimistic about the provision’s inclusion. MC Nutraceuticals, one of Mr. Worley’s companies, expressed confidence that the hemp industry has secured “a seat at the table” in federal policymaking and plans to push for permanent legalization through upcoming farm or omnibus bills. Despite this, the ultimate fate of the hemp ban delay remains uncertain amid the contested negotiations on Capitol Hill.