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

I served as governor of Nebraska from 2015 to 2023.My team delivered for Nebraskans.

We cut taxes, made the government work better and defended Nebraska values.I also signed the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act into law.

This bill allowed industrial hemp to be grown, harvested, processed and marketed in Nebraska.We took this step to align Nebraska state law with the 2018 Farm Bill.We also wanted to support our agricultural community.

This Farm Bill federally redefined hemp.It removed it from the Controlled Substances Act and legally separated hemp from marijuana.

This was a well-intended change.Hemp farmers argued their crop was a commodity.

They said declassifying it would create new economic opportunities.Congress listened and acted.

Our state followed.The results are drastically different from what we anticipated.This Farm Bill created a loophole that enabled nationwide sales of unregulated, manufactured THC.

THC is a highly addictive and mind-altering drug.Bad actors immediately capitalized on this loophole.

They manufactured and commercialized delta-8 and delta-10 THC drugs.They packaged these drugs to look identical to popular candies, sodas and chips.

Then, they flooded the market with these drugs.They shelved them at gas stations, convenience stores and smoke shops across the nation.

These drugs don’t have an age restriction.Now, our children and communities are paying the tragic price.CLOSE THE BACKDOOR DRUG PIPELINE THAT’S EMBOLDENING ENEMIES AND HARMING THE PUBLICAccording to the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than one in 10 high school seniors have used hemp-derived THC products.

Teens are still growing, and their brains are still developing.This causes addictions to form more quickly.

Teens who use this higher-potency drug can develop dependence or addiction within months of first trying it.This is nearly double the rate of older adults.

We know that THC drugs are increasingly linked to IQ loss and significant mental health ...