A deal to end the 41-day government shutdown is running into turbulence, thanks to a single Senate objection: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Senate Republican and Democratic leaders say they need to resolve Paul’s objection to a provision in the government funding package before they can accelerate consideration of the bill. The provision would restrict the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based products.
  • TheDemonBuer@lemmy.world
    266·
    5 months ago

    A deal to end the 41-day government shutdown is running into turbulence, thanks to a single Senate objection: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

    Senate Republican and Democratic leaders say they need to resolve Paul’s objection to a provision in the government funding package before they can accelerate consideration of the bill. The provision would restrict the unregulated sale of intoxicating…hemp-derived products like Delta-8 at gas stations, corner stores, or online without federal regulation.

    I mean, do we really need this provision, right now? I’m not necessarily opposed to federal regulation of Delta-8 products, but can’t we address that at a later date? Let’s get the government open and worry about Delta-8 later.

    • queermunist she/her@lemmy.ml
      82·
      5 months ago

      He has more leverage now than he ever will, and he’s using that leverage to get what he wants.

      Sure would be nice if Dems did that

    • Prox@lemmy.world
      28·
      5 months ago

      Rand Paul agrees. He’s objecting because he doesn’t want the provision.

      The senator wants to strip a section from the bill that would prevent the sale of hemp-derived products like Delta-8 at gas stations, corner stores, or online without federal regulation.

      Paul defended his stance as part of his duty to Kentucky. “Just to be clear: I am not delaying this bill. The timing is already fixed under Senate procedure. But there is extraneous language in this package that has nothing to do with reopening the government and would harm Kentucky’s hemp farmers and small businesses,” he said in a statement posted on X. “Standing up for Kentucky jobs is part of my job,” he added.

    • bobaworld@lemmy.world
      1·
      5 months ago

      This isn’t just about Delta-8 products. This will affect CBD products. This will affect legal hemp-derived Delta-9 THC products. This will have a major negative impact on the legal hemp industry as a whole. I don’t normally agree with Rand Paul on much, but I agree with him on this one. There’s a lot of hemp farming done in KY that this legislation threatens.