The week of November 7-13, 2025, brought significant shifts and ongoing developments across the cannabis and hemp landscapes. Major legislative action to end a government shutdown introduced sweeping changes to the federal definition of hemp, potentially upending a multi-billion dollar industry. Concurrently, shifting public opinion, as reflected in a new Gallup poll, indicated a decline in support for cannabis legalization, particularly among Republicans. Regional news also featured key regulatory updates from the White Earth Nation and continued evolution in Minnesota’s cannabis market.
Federal Government Shutdown Ends With Sweeping Hemp Industry Restrictions
In a move that sent shockwaves through the hemp sector, a legislative package enacted to end a prolonged government shutdown introduced substantial new federal regulations for hemp-derived products. Signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 12, 2025, the legislation, effective in one year, drastically redefines legal hemp. The core change narrows the federal definition to include a strict “Total THC” limit, capping finished hemp products at a mere 0.4 milligrams of THC per container. This represents a dramatic departure from the prior 0.3% delta-9 THC dry weight standard. Crucially, the new law also prohibits cannabinoids synthesized or manufactured outside the cannabis plant, as well as those with “similar effects” to THC, as determined by the Department of Health and Human Services.
This legislation effectively recriminalizes the vast majority of hemp-derived THC products currently on the market, including popular items like delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and even many non-intoxicating CBD products. Industry estimates suggest this could impact a $28-$30 billion market and jeopardize over 300,000 jobs. While a one-year implementation window offers a chance for advocacy and potential legislative correction, the immediate outlook is one of significant disruption for businesses and consumers alike. The U.S. Hemp Roundtable estimates that over 95% of currently available hemp extract products could be eliminated. Many in the industry, including craft brewers in Minnesota who have found success in the THC beverage market, are preparing for intense lobbying efforts to alter the law before it takes full effect.
Gallup Poll Reveals Dip in Cannabis Legalization Support, Sharp Decline Among Republicans
A significant trend emerging from a new Gallup poll, released on November 5, 2025, indicates a slight decline in overall American support for cannabis legalization. While 64% of U.S. adults now believe marijuana should be legal, this represents a decrease from the 68-70% observed between 2020 and 2024. The most striking finding within the poll is a substantial drop in support among Republican voters. Their endorsement of legalization fell from 53% in 2024 to 40% in 2025, marking the lowest level of support for this group in a decade. This decline contrasts with consistently high support levels among Democrats (85%) and Independents (66%). Analysts suggest this shift among Republicans may be linked to a broader, growing optimism regarding the nation’s progress in addressing illegal drug issues.
White Earth Nation Adopts New Cannabis Resolution, Minnesota Continues Regulatory Developments
In the realm of tribal governance, the White Earth Reservation Business Committee adopted a new resolution on October 31, 2025, which was made public in early November. This updated code redefines cannabis and explicitly prohibits the use, possession, manufacture, sale, transfer, and retail sale of synthetic cannabis. This move represents a significant step in clarifying and strengthening the tribe’s regulatory framework for cannabis activities within its jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) continued its work on developing the state’s cannabis market. The OCM announced it was accepting applications for its CanRenew grant funding, aimed at restoring communities negatively impacted by cannabis prohibition. Additionally, the office began accepting curriculum submissions for a medical cannabis consultant training program, designed to enhance patient access to information. These developments highlight Minnesota’s ongoing efforts to build a regulated and equitable cannabis industry, even as the state’s hemp producers brace for the impact of the new federal legislation.
Other Notable News in Cannabis and Hemp
Beyond these major developments, the week saw other trending news items. In Virginia, the election of Abigail Spanberger as governor, who supports establishing a retail market for cannabis, signals potential forward movement for legalization in the state. Conversely, Oklahoma saw its efforts to place a legalization measure on the ballot falter due to insufficient signatures. On the federal land front, new guidance in Wyoming indicated a stricter approach to marijuana prosecution on federal lands, reversing a prior administration’s policy. The debate over intoxicating hemp products also saw Attorneys General from 39 states formally request congressional action to close the perceived loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed for their proliferation.
The week of November 7-13, 2025, underscored the dynamic and often complex nature of the cannabis and hemp industries. Legislative actions at the federal level are poised to reshape markets, while shifting public opinion and regional regulatory efforts continue to chart the course for the evolving cannabis landscape. The future trajectory of these industries will likely depend on ongoing policy debates, industry adaptation, and public engagement with emerging news and trends.
