Hawaiʻi Hemp Farmers Fight New CBD Regulations That Threaten Their Industry

New CBD Regulations Threaten Hawaiʻi’s Hemp Industry, Pitting Local Farmers Against State Restrictions

Hawaiʻi’s hemp industry is at a crossroads as new state regulations on CBD products impose strict limits on THC content, leaving local farmers and processors grappling with the potential collapse of their businesses. The changes, aimed at preventing THC consumption by minors, have sparked widespread concerns about the viability of Hawaiʻi-grown hemp products in an increasingly competitive market.

The new rules, signed by Governor Josh Green, drastically reduce allowable THC levels in CBD products, including tinctures, gummies, beverages, and oils. For example, CBD beverages must now contain no more than 0.00028% THC—thousands of times stricter than federal standards. While these measures are intended to curb THC use, critics argue they place undue burdens on local hemp farmers, making it nearly impossible to compete with mainland producers.

“This is a devastating blow,” said Gail Byrne Baber, President of the Hawaiʻi Hemp Farmers Association. Baber’s farm relies on CBD tinctures to sustain food crop production, but under the new restrictions, her business faces an uncertain future.

Hemp advocates emphasize that CBD products offer the margins necessary to keep small farms afloat. Yet, the absence of affordable THC-removing processors in Hawaiʻi exacerbates the challenge, forcing farmers to consider costly mainland alternatives.

As one of the first states to legalize hemp cultivation in 1999, Hawaiʻi has long been a pioneer in the industry. However, many fear the latest regulations could drive local producers out of business, stifling innovation and economic growth in the process.