GŪD Essence Featured in The Guardian: What the Federal Hemp Ban Means for Consumers
GŪD Essence is proud to share that our CEO, Jasmine Johnson, was recently featured in The Guardian in an in-depth article exploring how the new federal hemp restrictions could reshape the entire U.S. marketplace, from CBD products to THC beverages to full-spectrum wellness formulas.
The piece examines Congress’s decision to include a nationwide ban on most hemp-derived products within a last-minute budget bill that ended the 2025 government shutdown. The new rules are scheduled to take effect in November 2026 and could dramatically change prices, access, and product composition across the country.
The Big Question: Will Consumers Still Be Able to Buy Hemp Products?
According to The Guardian, the answer depends heavily on where you live. States that have already built regulated hemp frameworks — such as Minnesota, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico, Tennessee, New York, and Illinois — may continue operating, but with more limits.
Under the new law, hemp products would be restricted to only 0.4 mg of total THC per package, a trace amount far below what is found in most tinctures, balms, gummies, or beverages today. This shift would dramatically reduce what qualifies as “legal hemp.”
Interstate commerce would also halt, meaning no more cross-state shipping and significant restrictions on online sales. For many consumers, this means fewer choices and higher prices.
Why Prices Are Expected to Rise
The Guardian highlights several reasons prices may increase:
- Hemp brands may be forced into state-licensed cannabis dispensaries
- Distributors could exit the THC beverage space
- Section 280-E taxation could apply, raising operating costs
- Shrinking hemp markets would raise manufacturing costs
One expert compared the likely price jump to Canada’s CBD system where a balm that once cost $10 now sells for $80 inside licensed dispensaries.
THC Drinks Could Face the Biggest Impact
The THC beverage category has been booming, with Nielsen adding THC seltzers to its retail ranking system for the first time. But distributors rely on interstate commerce to stay profitable. Without it, many may simply stop carrying the products, which could cause entire brands to disappear.
The Future of CBD Under the New Rules
If the ban prevents trace THC from appearing in CBD formulas, it could fundamentally change how CBD works. Full-spectrum formulas, which include CBD, minor cannabinoids, THC, and terpenes, produce stronger effects due to the entourage effect.
Without these components, effectiveness may drop, and brands will need alternative botanical pathways to support wellness.
Jasmine Johnson Shares GŪD Essence’s Perspective
In her interview with The Guardian, Jasmine Johnson emphasized that wellness does not begin and end with cannabinoids:
“Many of the effects consumers love are not solely tied to cannabinoids — they’re tied to terpene expression.”
She explains that botanicals like lavender, chamomile, lemon balm, kanna, holy basil, cacao, and certain mushrooms can create functional effects for:
- calm
- focus
- mood
- sleep
- clarity
“We’re already researching these pathways through our formulation team and academic partners,” she adds.
Jasmine’s remarks highlight GŪD Essence’s commitment to education, wellness, and innovation even as the regulatory landscape shifts.
Standing Firm in a Changing Market
While the federal hemp ban introduces uncertainty, GŪD Essence will continue working with:
- academic researchers
- clinical partners
- botanical formulators
- cultivation and processing experts
…to ensure consumers can access wellness-driven products supported by science, tradition, and plant intelligence.
No matter what changes come, our mission remains the same: unity, culture, wellness, and care for the GŪD of all.
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