Federal hemp rules take effect Thursday, leaving businesses with uncertain futures

ASHEVILLE, NC (WLOS) — Dispensaries face new federal restrictions that begin Thursday, November 12.

“We’ve known about this for a long time, so most people have been easing their way to a point where it’s not going to put them out of business,” Franny’s Farmacy CEO Franny Tacy said.

An appropriations law for fiscal year 2026 amends the definition of hemp, preventing cannabinoids that are not capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis plant from being sold.

“Right now, synthetics. All synthetics are illegal as of tomorrow,” Tacy said on Wednesday.

Tacy says this restriction will impact her business and the cannabis industry.

She’s more concerned, however, about another change that goes into effect in December which would prevent any final hemp-derived cannabinoid products containing greater than 0.4 milligrams per container of total THC from being sold.

She says this law would put hemp retailers out of business.

“December 12, all of its gone,” Tacy said.

Tacy, however, says she feels optimistic that people can speak up and prevent this from happening.

“Been in a legal business 9 years here in Asheville with millions of dollars that we’ve put into this community and an amazing huge staff of people that would all face being laid off, but it’s not just that, it’s the consumers and the farmers, the ripple effect,” Tacy said.

Tacy has a petition against the restriction that starts in December on her website.