A deal to end the 41-day government shutdown is running into turbulence, thanks to a single Senate objection: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). Senate Republican and Democratic leaders say they need to resolve Paul’s objection to a provision in the government funding package before they can accelerate consideration of the bill. The provision would restrict the unregulated sale of intoxicating hemp-based products.
  • TheDemonBuer@lemmy.world
    266·
    1 day ago

    A deal to end the 41-day government shutdown is running into turbulence, thanks to a single Senate objection: Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.).

    Senate Republican and Democratic leaders say they need to resolve Paul’s objection to a provision in the government funding package before they can accelerate consideration of the bill. The provision would restrict the unregulated sale of intoxicating…hemp-derived products like Delta-8 at gas stations, corner stores, or online without federal regulation.

    I mean, do we really need this provision, right now? I’m not necessarily opposed to federal regulation of Delta-8 products, but can’t we address that at a later date? Let’s get the government open and worry about Delta-8 later.

    • bobaworld@lemmy.world
      1·
      4 hours ago

      This isn’t just about Delta-8 products. This will affect CBD products. This will affect legal hemp-derived Delta-9 THC products. This will have a major negative impact on the legal hemp industry as a whole. I don’t normally agree with Rand Paul on much, but I agree with him on this one. There’s a lot of hemp farming done in KY that this legislation threatens.

    • queermunist she/her@lemmy.ml
      82·
      1 day ago

      He has more leverage now than he ever will, and he’s using that leverage to get what he wants.

      Sure would be nice if Dems did that

      • ameancow@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        12 hours ago

        he’s using that leverage to get what he wants.

        Hemp farming industry is paying him to prevent restriction of Delta-8, which is derived from Hemp.

        It’s just money. It’s always money.

        • bobaworld@lemmy.world
          1·
          3 hours ago

          It’s not just Delta-8. Most CBD products as well as legal hemp-derived Delta-9 THC products would get wrapped up in this as well, and I am personally in favor of them remaining legal.

          • ameancow@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            3 hours ago

            Yah I updated my larger comments about it elsewhere, it’s a sweeping ban on the sales of all “molecules that even resemble THC” or some wonkery. McConnel introduced this portion of the bill and he’s well known to be “sponsored” by big alcohol companies, who have been seeing declining sales ever since cannabis legalization so it’s not hard to see what’s going on.

        • queermunist she/her@lemmy.ml
          42·
          12 hours ago

          So? He wants this because his donors want it, of course, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s using leverage to get what he wants.

          • ameancow@lemmy.worldEnglish
            4·
            12 hours ago

            There are no deep pockets funding progressive ideas. No senators got a call from the Bureau of Keeping People Alive to keep their bottom line profitable.

              • ameancow@lemmy.worldEnglish
                1·
                3 hours ago

                “Democrats” are a just container, and that container has gone bad and spoiled. It’s time to clean the frig, throw out the rotten garbage and get some fresh groceries.

                • queermunist she/her@lemmy.ml
                  1·
                  2 hours ago

                  The rot runs the party, you aren’t going to clear them out without overthrowing them somehow.

                  I think the DSA should split the party.

                  • ameancow@lemmy.worldEnglish
                    1·
                    2 hours ago

                    There will always be rot, we are tasked with directing the rot in the right direction.

                    I don’t care if half the party is in there because they want to keep their seats or other kickbacks, as long as they’re doing their job.

                    I mean look, Mamdani wins and suddenly JOE FUCKING SCARBOROUGH is bending the knee and having him on the show twice. It doesn’t take a lot, the Dem foundational principle is to be almost disgustingly, subserviently populist, it’s just the problem is that they tend to follow the popular sentiment even if it goes against what they are supposed to represent.

    • Prox@lemmy.world
      28·
      24 hours ago

      Rand Paul agrees. He’s objecting because he doesn’t want the provision.

      The senator wants to strip a section from the bill that would prevent the sale of hemp-derived products like Delta-8 at gas stations, corner stores, or online without federal regulation.

      Paul defended his stance as part of his duty to Kentucky. “Just to be clear: I am not delaying this bill. The timing is already fixed under Senate procedure. But there is extraneous language in this package that has nothing to do with reopening the government and would harm Kentucky’s hemp farmers and small businesses,” he said in a statement posted on X. “Standing up for Kentucky jobs is part of my job,” he added.