Congress Ended The Shutdown — But At The Cost Of Re-Criminalizing These THC Products In A Last-Minute Deal That Could Reshape The Cannabis Industry - Curaleaf Holdings (OTC:CURLF), Green Thumb Indus (

Core Viewpoint - The recent funding bill passed by Congress includes a controversial provision that re-criminalizes several THC-infused and hemp-derived products, which were legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill, raising concerns within the hemp and cannabis industry [1][2]. Group 1: Legislative Changes - A last-minute provision in the funding package criminalizes certain THC-infused and hemp-derived products, reversing the legalization established by the 2018 Farm Bill [2]. - The 2018 law defined hemp as containing less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, but the new provision targets products that contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC but exceed 0.3% total THC concentration, which may be intoxicating [2][3]. Group 2: Industry Impact - Senator Rand Paul expressed concerns that the new provisions could eliminate nearly 100% of legal hemp products overnight, potentially leading to job losses and overriding 23 state laws regulating these products [3][4]. - The hemp industry has been a crucial support for farmers facing rising costs, and the new regulations are seen as a move towards prohibition rather than addressing issues with bad actors in the market [4]. Group 3: Market Reactions - The impact on stocks within the industry is mixed; some multi-state operators not involved in Delta-8 beverages or hemp-derived THC gummies may benefit from reduced competition, while companies like Tilray Brands Inc. have faced significant declines [5][6]. - Specific stock performances include Tilray Brands Inc. down 4.65% and Curaleaf Holdings Inc. down 1.76%, with year-to-date performances showing Tilray down 15.75% and Curaleaf up 69.51% [7].