Attorney General Raúl Torrez Urges Congress to Preserve Federal Hemp Reforms and Prevent the Return of Intoxicating Hemp Products
Albuquerque, NM – Attorney General Raúl Torrez, co-leading a coalition of 35 attorneys general, announced today that the coalition sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to preserve the federal redefinition of hemp and reject any effort to delay, repeal, suspend or weaken the reforms Congress enacted in November 2025 to address intoxicating hemp-derived products. The coalition argues that preserving the current framework will provide regulatory certainty, protect public safety and support a uniform national approach to hemp regulation.
In the letter, sent to congressional leadership and the chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, the coalition thanks Congress for closing the loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed unregulated, intoxicating hemp products to proliferate nationwide and urges lawmakers to ensure the new definition remains in effect – and reject any effort to reopen the loophole.
“The reforms Congress established last year are critical to protecting the public and ensuring that intoxicating hemp products remain out of our communities,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “We urge Congress to stand by their decision and keep these reforms in effect as we work to protect New Mexican consumers and businesses that rely on the law as it stands.”
Last year, Congress acted to establish a clearer and more responsible framework for hemp regulation. The coalition’s letter explains that states, federal agencies, businesses and consumers have already begun adjusting to the revised definition and that many states have aligned, or are in the process of aligning, their laws and enforcement efforts with the new federal standard.
The attorneys general warn that reopening the loophole or weakening the revised definition would create regulatory uncertainty, increase litigation, disrupt lawful businesses that have already adapted to the new framework and allow the return of unregulated intoxicating hemp products to the marketplace.
Attorney General Torrez is co-leading the letter with Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita. Attorneys general of the following states and territories also signed the letter: Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
