MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Governor Tony Evers sent a letter to Congress a week and a half ago warning that the new federal hemp law will hurt Wisconsin’s economy.
The law, which was passed by Congress to open the government in 2025, included a provision that would ban nearly all hemp-derived consumer products.
Any product containing more than 0.3% of THC would be illegal, according to the new ruling.
The ban will impact local hemp farmers, processors and retailers.
One of those companies, RA!, co-founded by Alla Tyspin and Richard Bowman, will be impacted by the change.
“Companies like us, other beverage companies, farmers, producers, people that extract; people will be out of business,” Tyspin said. “It’s a multibillion-dollar industry across the U.S.”
Tyspin and Bowman want to work with lawmakers on how to grow the hemp business.
“We would like to see a lot more opportunities for these smaller companies to stay sustainable, help each and grow this category,” Bowman said. “This category isn’t going anywhere, and there’s a revenue stream right now.”
Some of the rule changes Tyspin wants to see made include defining a legal age to buy and sell hemp products, having to be transparent about third-party testing and not marketing to children.
“Those kinds of things, the ones that actually make sense, so we can all comply and still be successful in our industry,” Tyspin said.
The new hemp change will go into effect Nov. 12.
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