The CBD world just changed again, and this time the shift is coming directly from Congress. A new federal spending bill that ended a government shutdown includes major changes to how hemp and hemp-derived products are treated under federal law. The goal is to shut down intoxicating hemp products, but the ripple effects will be felt across the CBD industry — including pet CBD. Hemp Well, however, is uniquely positioned because its products are centered on hemp seed nutrition, not intoxicating cannabinoids.
Our Relief line (CBD) makes use of broad spectrum CBD. Retailers should be particularly concerned at this time with Full Spectrum CBD products.
1. What Did Congress Just Do?
A spending bill that doubles as a hemp law
The government funding bill includes a hemp provision that reshapes the landscape for hemp and CBD in several important ways:
- Redefines “hemp” at the federal level in a way that clearly targets intoxicating hemp-derived products, such as delta-8 and other THC compounds that can be synthesized from CBD.
- Bans most hemp-derived intoxicating THC products, particularly edibles, vapes, gummies, pet treats, and beverages that rely on these converted cannabinoids.
- Imposes a very low cap on total THC per package (measured in milligrams, not percentage), which could cause many full-spectrum CBD products to lose their status as “hemp” and be treated like marijuana under federal law.
- Provides a transition period of one year so that companies and regulators have time to adjust before full enforcement begins.
In parallel, Congress has also been working on broader hemp policy changes similar to those seen in Farm Bill negotiations. These discussions include moving from a “delta-9 only” THC standard to a “total THC” standard and distinguishing industrial hemp (fiber, grain, seed) from cannabinoid-focused hemp products (flower, extracts, and finished goods).
The combined effect is clear: intoxicating hemp products are being pushed off the federal playing field, and many CBD formats may need significant reformulation or reclassification to remain compliant.
2. How Could This Affect the CBD Industry?
a. Intoxicating hemp products (delta-8 and similar)
The primary target of the new federal framework is the explosion of intoxicating hemp-derived THC products that took advantage of loopholes in earlier laws. These products turned low-cost CBD into delta-8, delta-10, and other psychoactive compounds and then sold them in convenience stores, gas stations, and online with minimal oversight.
Under the new rules:
- Most intoxicating hemp-derived THC edibles, vapes, and beverages will no longer qualify as “hemp.”
- These products may have to leave the national marketplace or move into state-licensed cannabis channels where they are regulated like marijuana products.
b. Non-intoxicating CBD products
The more complicated question is how these changes affect everyday CBD products that were never intended to get anyone high. Because the new framework focuses on ultra-low THC caps per package, even high-quality, non-intoxicating full-spectrum CBD products may be affected.
This could mean:
- Many popular CBD tinctures, capsules, and gummies may exceed the new THC-per-container limit even if they meet older hemp standards.
- Brands may need to switch to THC-free (broad-spectrum or isolate) formulations or lower potency and serving sizes to remain compliant.
- Smaller companies could struggle with reformulation, new testing requirements, and legal costs, potentially consolidating the market around larger, better-capitalized players.
c. Pet CBD and veterinary products
Although the law does not single out pets, the logic is the same for pet products. CBD pet oils and treats that contain cannabinoids and detectable THC above the new thresholds could be treated the same as human CBD products under federal law.
Retailers and distributors in the pet space generally respond quickly to regulatory risk. As a result, it is reasonable to expect:
- Stricter requirements for third-party lab results and Certificates of Analysis (COAs).
- Stronger preferences for products with non-detectable THC.
- More detail in labeling, including batch numbers, QR codes, and ingredient transparency.
By contrast, hemp seed–based ingredients are not the focus of these new THC-centered rules. Hemp seed comes from parts of the plant that naturally have negligible cannabinoids and have been recognized as safe in food and feed channels for years.
3. Why Hemp Well Is Especially Well-Positioned
Hemp Well has spent over a decade building a brand around hemp seed nutrition for pets, not around intoxicating cannabinoids. That foundational choice now sets Hemp Well apart in a regulatory environment that is increasingly skeptical of anything that looks or acts like THC.
1. Seed-based, not “THC loophole” products
Hemp Well formulas are created using cold-pressed hemp seed oil and other complementary functional ingredients. They are not designed around delta-8, delta-9, or synthesized THC analogs. Because hemp seed contains negligible cannabinoids and comes from plant parts long accepted in food and feed use, these products are naturally positioned outside the main target of the new federal crackdown.
2. Built for non-intoxicating support from day one
Hemp Well products are focused on omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and supportive botanicals that help with comfort, mobility, skin and coat health, and calm behavior — without intoxication. The formulas are designed for everyday wellness, not for psychoactive effects.
Over time, working with cautious and compliance-focused pet retailers has helped Hemp Well refine a product line that already aligns with the tighter safety margins and clearer labeling now being demanded across the broader hemp market.
3. A regulatory-first culture
Hemp Well’s operations already look like what the new regulatory regime will expect from the rest of the industry. That includes:
- Routine third-party testing and COAs for key products.
- National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) membership since 2018.
- Documentation of ingredient sources, THC content (if any), and batch-level controls.
- Experience onboarding with major retailers that expect rigorous product data, safety documentation, and fast responses to evolving policy requirements.
These systems and processes — traceability, documentation, and a proactive compliance mindset — are the same tools necessary to thrive under stricter federal oversight.
4. Ready to pivot as rules evolve
The current law is unlikely to be the last word on hemp and CBD. Lawmakers continue to debate refinements, and federal agencies will need to provide guidance on how the new provisions are interpreted and enforced.
Hemp Well is prepared to:
- Further tighten internal THC specifications as standards evolve.
- Adjust formulas, serving sizes, and labels to align with updated federal and state requirements.
- Expand its focus on hemp seed and other non-cannabinoid wellness ingredients that offer long-term regulatory stability.
4. What This Means for Retailers and Pet Parents
If you are a retailer or distributor
In the coming months and years, you can expect increased scrutiny on any CBD or hemp-derived pet product that contains cannabinoids or advertises CBD content. Many retailers will move toward seed-based, non-intoxicating, and low- or no-THC formulas with strong documentation and transparent testing.
Hemp Well’s longstanding emphasis on hemp seed nutrition, non-intoxicating formulations, and robust compliance infrastructure makes it an appealing and resilient partner under the new rules.
If you are a pet parent
As a pet parent, you may notice certain CBD-branded products disappearing, rebranding, or changing their formulas and labels. There may also be confusion about what is legal, what is hemp-derived, and what could be intoxicating.
Hemp Well’s role in this shifting landscape is straightforward: to continue offering non-intoxicating, hemp seed–based supplements with honest labeling and clear testing, while staying current with regulations so you can focus on your pet’s well-being with confidence.
5. A Quick Legal Note
This article is meant to provide a general overview of recent congressional changes affecting CBD and hemp-derived products. It is not legal advice. The impact on any specific product will depend on the exact statutory language, future guidance from federal agencies, and how aggressively regulators and states choose to enforce these new provisions.
Hemp Well will continue to do what it has always done: build long-term, compliant, non-intoxicating hemp solutions for pets, and adapt quickly as the rules change.
