Pet Releaf on Capitol Hill: Advocating for Hemp Farmers and Pet Wellness

Pet Releaf was proud to participate in a highly visible, bipartisan advocacy effort on Capitol Hill alongside the U.S. Hemp Roundtable (USHR) and the Hemp Industries Association. This industry fly-in brought together farmers, manufacturers, and brands to engage directly with lawmakers about the future of hemp in the United States, and what’s at stake if Congress does not act soon.

With planting decisions for the 2026 season approaching, uncertainty at the federal level is forcing farmers to make irreversible choices that impact farms, jobs, and supply chains, including those that support safe, high-quality pet wellness products.

Bipartisan Hemp Industry Advocacy on Capitol Hill

The fly-in united leaders across the hemp supply chain to deliver a clear and unified message to Congress: regulatory clarity is urgently needed to protect American hemp farmers and the businesses that rely on them.

Industry representatives participated in more than 100 meetings with House and Senate offices, including members of key committees such as the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Meetings spanned both parties, reinforcing that hemp policy is not a partisan issue but an agricultural and economic priority.

The central message was clear: hemp farmers have just three to five weeks to decide whether to plant for the 2026 season, and ongoing regulatory uncertainty is putting farms, livelihoods, and long-term supply chains at risk.

Throughout the effort, USHR and the Hemp Industries Association worked hand-in-hand to ensure consistent, disciplined messaging across congressional meetings, press engagement, and a Capitol Hill press conference. The focus remained on regulatory stability and responsible oversight, not prohibition.

Legislative Updates: Hemp Planting Predictability Act and Senate Action

This advocacy effort is already generating legislative momentum.

In the U.S. Senate, Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced legislation to delay implementation of proposed changes to federal hemp production rules. This delay would provide time for thoughtful, science-based regulation.

In the U.S. House, Representative Jim Baird’s bipartisan Hemp Planting Predictability Act continues to advance. The bill proposes a two-year extension to protect the 2026 planting season and provide much-needed certainty for farmers.

Both efforts aim to give hemp producers and the businesses that depend on them the stability needed to plan responsibly for future growing seasons.

National Media Coverage of Hemp Policy and Regulatory Uncertainty

The fly-in culminated in a Capitol Hill press conference hosted by Representative James Comer, supported by coordinated media outreach and on-site engagement.

The event drew national attention from major outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg Government, Politico, The Hill, Fox News, and others. Coverage highlighted the economic and agricultural impact of regulatory uncertainty on American hemp farming.

National media attention reinforces the urgency of creating a stable and well-regulated hemp framework that protects farmers while supporting responsible innovation.

Why Federal Hemp Policy Matters for Pet Brands

A stable, well-regulated hemp supply chain is essential to producing safe, consistent, and high-quality pet wellness products.

Pet Releaf’s involvement, including our role as a Board Member of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, ensures that pets and the pet industry are represented in critical policy discussions. Regulatory clarity supports ethical sourcing, supply chain transparency, and the continued availability of compliant hemp-derived products for pet parents nationwide.

When farmers can plant with confidence, manufacturers can maintain quality standards, and pet parents can continue to trust the products they choose.

Protecting the Future of Hemp Farming and Pet Wellness

Pet Releaf remains committed to advocating for responsible hemp policy that protects farmers, strengthens domestic agriculture, and supports long-term wellness innovation.

We will continue engaging at the highest levels to protect the future of hemp and the pets who depend on it.

From Capitol Hill to homes across the country, our commitment remains the same: advancing responsible regulation, supporting American farmers, and delivering trusted pet wellness products built on transparency and integrity.