Tuesday’s cannabis headlines ranged from Capitol Hill to Berlin. The House Rules Committee blocked all four Farm Bill amendments that would have preserved legal hemp-derived THC products, leaving a $28.4 billion sector facing November’s federal ban without a Congressional lifeline. Two hemp companies filed federal lawsuits against the DEA over HHC scheduling. Across the Atlantic, Germany’s Federal Drug Commissioner broke with his CDU coalition’s hardline stance to signal cautious support for cannabis pilot shops, while Kentucky’s governor expanded medical access by executive order and New York advanced a labour reform bill.
The House Rules Committee blocked all four proposed Farm Bill amendments that would have preserved legal hemp-derived THC products or delayed November’s federal ban, Marijuana Moment reported. The most far-reaching proposal, from Representative Andy Barr of Kentucky, would have created a regulated market for products containing up to 1% delta-9 THC, with a 5% excise tax and an alcohol-style three-tier distribution system. Two separate delay amendments from Representatives Russell Fry and Ilhan Omar met the same fate. The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America warned that the ban, as written, will drive consumers towards unregulated online suppliers. The Senate has yet to pass its version of the Farm Bill, leaving the upper chamber as the remaining Congressional opening before November’s enforcement date. Track wider federal developments at the Cannabis Rescheduling Hub.
Two hemp companies filed separate federal petitions challenging the Drug Enforcement Administration’s classification of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) as a Schedule I controlled substance. Bluestar Operations and IHC Investments lodged actions in the Fourth and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal, arguing the DEA exceeded its authority by treating HHC as a synthetic substance outside the protections of the 2018 Farm Bill, according to The Marijuana Herald. Lead counsel David Sergi called the agency’s position “unlawful overreach” causing “immediate and irreparable harm.” The petitioners also invoke the major questions doctrine, asserting the DEA cannot impose significant criminal and commercial consequences without explicit Congressional authorisation. Both circuits have previously ruled in favour of hemp-derived cannabinoids, providing potentially favourable legal precedent.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order expanding the state’s medical cannabis programme to cover 15 additional qualifying conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, ALS, sickle cell anaemia, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, and terminal illness. The action is expected to make more than 400,000 additional Kentuckians eligible for access. The state currently has 32 licensed cannabis businesses serving around 24,000 enrolled patients. Beshear cited University of Kentucky research linking regulated dispensaries to lower opioid overdose rates and called for broader decriminalisation, saying no one should face imprisonment for cannabis possession. The order followed the legislature’s refusal to expand the qualifying conditions list during the current session, Marijuana Moment reports.
A bipartisan pair of New York bills would remove labour peace agreement requirements from the state’s cannabis licensing regime, replacing them with transparency and wage-setting obligations. Senate Bill 10643, sponsored by Senator Jessica Ramos, and its Assembly companion from Assemblymember Harry Bronson would strip regulators of the power to deny or revoke licences over labour agreement violations, according to The Marijuana Herald. Businesses would instead be required to disclose ownership structures, management service agreements, and salary ranges per job category. A three-member Cannabis Industry Wage Board would be established within the Department of Labour, with sectoral wage recommendations due by December 2027. The reform reflects longstanding industry criticism that labour peace mandates have been applied unevenly, creating barriers for smaller operators seeking state licences.
Germany’s Federal Drug Commissioner, Dr. Hendrik Streeck, has signalled cautious support for reviving cannabis pilot shops under Pillar 2 of the country’s CanG Cannabis Act, breaking with the CDU coalition’s stated policy of abolishing the cannabis law entirely. Streeck told reporters he cannot ignore that around five million Germans now regularly consume cannabis, though he attached strict conditions: no commercialisation, no advertising, quantities limited to around five grams, sales restricted to adults over 25, and close scientific monitoring. The CDU had campaigned on a promise that the cannabis law “protects dealers” and endangers youth. Business of Cannabis reports the shift reflects pressure from a large consumer base and successful pilot models in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Follow EU regulatory developments at the EU Cannabis Regulation Hub.
Watch this week for movement on the Senate Farm Bill, which represents the industry’s last meaningful legislative route to hemp THC relief before November, and for procedural motions in the cannabis rescheduling litigation due before the DC Circuit on 4 June. Kentucky’s executive order may face legislative resistance when the General Assembly next convenes, and Berlin’s policy debate will be one to watch as Germany’s coalition tests the boundaries of its own manifesto commitments. Stay up to date with all the latest on the Cannabis News Hub.
The post Cannabis News Today — Tuesday 3 June 2026: Congress blocks hemp relief as Germany’s drug chief breaks with party line appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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House panel blocks four hemp THC amendments
The House Rules Committee blocked all four proposed Farm Bill amendments that would have preserved legal hemp-derived THC products or delayed November’s federal ban, Marijuana Moment reported. The most far-reaching proposal, from Representative Andy Barr of Kentucky, would have created a regulated market for products containing up to 1% delta-9 THC, with a 5% excise tax and an alcohol-style three-tier distribution system. Two separate delay amendments from Representatives Russell Fry and Ilhan Omar met the same fate. The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America warned that the ban, as written, will drive consumers towards unregulated online suppliers. The Senate has yet to pass its version of the Farm Bill, leaving the upper chamber as the remaining Congressional opening before November’s enforcement date. Track wider federal developments at the Cannabis Rescheduling Hub.
Hemp companies challenge DEA’s HHC classification in federal courts
Two hemp companies filed separate federal petitions challenging the Drug Enforcement Administration’s classification of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) as a Schedule I controlled substance. Bluestar Operations and IHC Investments lodged actions in the Fourth and Ninth Circuit Courts of Appeal, arguing the DEA exceeded its authority by treating HHC as a synthetic substance outside the protections of the 2018 Farm Bill, according to The Marijuana Herald. Lead counsel David Sergi called the agency’s position “unlawful overreach” causing “immediate and irreparable harm.” The petitioners also invoke the major questions doctrine, asserting the DEA cannot impose significant criminal and commercial consequences without explicit Congressional authorisation. Both circuits have previously ruled in favour of hemp-derived cannabinoids, providing potentially favourable legal precedent.
Kentucky governor expands medical cannabis access by executive order
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order expanding the state’s medical cannabis programme to cover 15 additional qualifying conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, ALS, sickle cell anaemia, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, and terminal illness. The action is expected to make more than 400,000 additional Kentuckians eligible for access. The state currently has 32 licensed cannabis businesses serving around 24,000 enrolled patients. Beshear cited University of Kentucky research linking regulated dispensaries to lower opioid overdose rates and called for broader decriminalisation, saying no one should face imprisonment for cannabis possession. The order followed the legislature’s refusal to expand the qualifying conditions list during the current session, Marijuana Moment reports.
New York bills target cannabis labour peace agreements
A bipartisan pair of New York bills would remove labour peace agreement requirements from the state’s cannabis licensing regime, replacing them with transparency and wage-setting obligations. Senate Bill 10643, sponsored by Senator Jessica Ramos, and its Assembly companion from Assemblymember Harry Bronson would strip regulators of the power to deny or revoke licences over labour agreement violations, according to The Marijuana Herald. Businesses would instead be required to disclose ownership structures, management service agreements, and salary ranges per job category. A three-member Cannabis Industry Wage Board would be established within the Department of Labour, with sectoral wage recommendations due by December 2027. The reform reflects longstanding industry criticism that labour peace mandates have been applied unevenly, creating barriers for smaller operators seeking state licences.
Germany’s drug commissioner backs cannabis pilots, breaking with CDU
Germany’s Federal Drug Commissioner, Dr. Hendrik Streeck, has signalled cautious support for reviving cannabis pilot shops under Pillar 2 of the country’s CanG Cannabis Act, breaking with the CDU coalition’s stated policy of abolishing the cannabis law entirely. Streeck told reporters he cannot ignore that around five million Germans now regularly consume cannabis, though he attached strict conditions: no commercialisation, no advertising, quantities limited to around five grams, sales restricted to adults over 25, and close scientific monitoring. The CDU had campaigned on a promise that the cannabis law “protects dealers” and endangers youth. Business of Cannabis reports the shift reflects pressure from a large consumer base and successful pilot models in Switzerland and the Netherlands. Follow EU regulatory developments at the EU Cannabis Regulation Hub.
Watch this week for movement on the Senate Farm Bill, which represents the industry’s last meaningful legislative route to hemp THC relief before November, and for procedural motions in the cannabis rescheduling litigation due before the DC Circuit on 4 June. Kentucky’s executive order may face legislative resistance when the General Assembly next convenes, and Berlin’s policy debate will be one to watch as Germany’s coalition tests the boundaries of its own manifesto commitments. Stay up to date with all the latest on the Cannabis News Hub.
The post Cannabis News Today — Tuesday 3 June 2026: Congress blocks hemp relief as Germany’s drug chief breaks with party line appeared first on Business of Cannabis.
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