Federal hemp-THC restrictions are scheduled to take effect on December 11, 2026. President Trump signed H.R. 6500 on September 2, moving the date from November 12. The restrictions define hemp by total THC, with THCA counted toward a 0.3% limit, and cap finished products at 0.4 mg of THC per container. THCA flower is among the products most exposed to that change.
The reporting we have reviewed shows the federal date is still December 11. The delay came from a short-term funding bill, and analysts describe it as temporary: Congress could extend it again, pass a broader hemp law or let the restrictions start. This page is updated when that changes.
Four Dates to Watch
Why THCA Flower Is the Product to Watch
Hemp has mostly been judged by its delta-9 THC content. The new definition counts total THC, including THCA, against a 0.3% limit. THCA flower is sold at tens of percent THCA, so a batch that passes under the old measure can fall far outside the new one. Our reporting on the federal timeline notes that cannabinoid products, including THCA flower, may no longer fit the federal definition of hemp.
How the restrictions will be enforced against flower, and whether Congress changes them again before December 11, is not settled. Nothing on this page is legal advice.
What the Industry Expects
A Whitney Economics survey of 496 hemp businesses in 35 states found that 68.1% expect to close if the restrictions take effect as written, and its national projection puts 225,000 jobs at risk. Those are scenario estimates built from survey answers, not confirmed closures. Read the full analysis.
A Buyer's Checklist Before You Order
- Look for a batch certificate of analysis that reports total THC, or both THCA and delta-9, not only delta-9.
- Ask which carrier the retailer uses and what that carrier requires. UPS's raw-hemp test-results rule starts December 11.
- Check your own state. State rules run on their own timelines; for Texas, see Can You Still Ship THCA to Texas?
- Treat "we ship to your state" as the retailer's statement, not a legal opinion. Carrier acceptance, tracking and delivery are not a legal safe harbor.
- Read the refund and return policy first, especially for a quarter-pound or pound order. If a shipment is refused, delayed or cannot be sent after December 11, find out who bears the cost.
- Do not buy more than you plan to use because of a deadline. A countdown on a retailer's banner is a marketing choice, not a legal one.
If you are comparing larger sizes anyway, our bulk THCA price guide lays out quarter-pound, half-pound and pound pricing by strain. It is a shopping guide, not a recommendation to buy before a deadline.
What Changes After December 11
The federal text changes how hemp is defined. It counts total THC, including THCA, and excludes a final hemp-derived cannabinoid product containing more than 0.4 milligrams of combined total THC and other cannabinoids with similar effects per innermost container. Industrial hemp remains a separate category. State restrictions and licensed state marijuana programs continue to operate under their own laws.
Our after-December 11 guide explains the product categories and primary-source language. Patients comparing state-regulated access can use the licensed dispensary locator and medical delivery guide.
Clear answers
Frequently Asked Questions
When Do the New Federal Hemp THC Restrictions Start?
December 11, 2026, under H.R. 6500, which President Trump signed on September 2. The restrictions were originally scheduled for November 12. The delay came from a short-term funding bill, so Congress could change the date again.
Do the Federal Restrictions Change Texas Hemp Law?
No. The federal law sets a national floor, and Texas's separate hemp rules run on their own timelines. The Texas total-THC rule took effect March 31, 2026, and Penalty Group 2 scheduling took effect July 31, 2026.
Is THCA Flower Affected by the December 11 Date?
The new federal definition counts THCA toward a 0.3% total-THC limit, so flower with a high THCA percentage may no longer fit the federal definition of hemp. How the rule will be enforced and whether the date moves again are still unsettled. This is not legal advice.
Will UPS Ship THCA Flower After December 11?
UPS gives THCA flower no blanket approval. Raw hemp is accepted only from pre-approved contractual shippers and, beginning December 11, 2026, the shipment must contain test results showing no more than 0.3% total THC on a dry-weight basis, including THCA.