PSA US Gov to make seeds a crime

Smoker's Lounge Security & Legal
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This is a copy paste from someone else.

PSA: IF YOU GROW, YOU NEED TO READ THIS!!

If you buy/sell/trade/etc. seeds in the good 'ole USA, you need to PAY ATTENTION to this. Currently, there is a bill called, “Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill” that is being worked on by committee(s) in Congress. In it’s current form, it includes provisions that could reclassify most cannabis seeds as marijuana, making them illegal under federal law. This isn’t just a hemp issue—it hits every modern cannabis strain, including CBD-focused ones. Here’s the breakdown, straight from the bill:

What’s the Problem?

Section 759 (pages 113-116 of the bill) changes the definition of “hemp” under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1639o). It’s a game-changer for seeds, and not in a good way. Here’s what it does:

  • Redefines Hemp: Hemp is still Cannabis sativa L. with a total THC concentration (including THCA) of 0.3% or less on a dry weight basis. But it now excludes:
    • Viable seeds from any plant that could grow to exceed 0.3% total THC (including THCA). (Page 113, Sec. 759(1)(C)(i))
    • Hemp-derived products with “quantifiable amounts” of THC or cannabinoids with “similar effects” to THC, as decided by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and USDA. (Page 114, Sec. 759(1)(C)(iii))
  • Industrial Hemp Exception: Seeds for fiber, grain, or research might still count as “industrial hemp,” but only if they’re not used for cannabinoid production (e.g., CBD). (Page 115, Sec. 759(2))
  • Hemp-Derived Cannabinoid Products: Any product (not industrial hemp) with cannabinoids for human/animal use is under stricter rules, especially if it has THC or synthetic cannabinoids. (Page 116, Sec. 759(3))

Why This Screws Over Cannabis Growers

  1. Most Seeds Could Be “Marijuana”:
  • The bill says viable seeds are not hemp if the plant they produce might go over 0.3% total THC (including THCA). (Page 113, Sec. 759(1)(C)(i))
  • THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) converts to THC when heated (like during curing or smoking). Almost every modern cannabis strain—even hemp bred for CBD—has genetics that can push past 0.3% THC when THCA is counted. This means seeds for nearly all strains (high-THC, CBD, or hybrids) could be reclassified as marijuana, a Schedule I drug under federal law.
  • Impact: Selling, trading, or even possessing these seeds could become a federal crime, even in legal states. Seed banks, breeders, and home growers could face raids or penalties.
  1. CBD Industry Gut Punch:
  • Many hemp growers rely on seeds for CBD production. If those seeds can produce plants with >0.3% THC (super common due to THCA), they’re no longer “hemp.” (Page 113, Sec. 759(1)(C)(i))
  • This could wipe out legal seed supplies for CBD growers, tanking the hemp market. Small farmers and breeders are especially at risk.
  1. Vague Regulatory Power:
  • The bill lets the Secretary of Health and Human Services (with USDA) decide what “quantifiable amounts” of THC or “similar cannabinoids” mean. (Page 114, Sec. 759(1)(C)(iii))
  • This gives them carte blanche to crack down on seeds or products they don’t like, even if they’re currently legal. No clear standards = unpredictable enforcement.
  1. Industrial Hemp Loophole (But It’s Narrow):
  • Seeds for industrial hemp (fiber, grain, microgreens, or research) might still be okay, but only if they’re not for cannabinoid production. (Page 115, Sec. 759(2))
  • Most growers aren’t in the fiber game, so this doesn’t help us. Plus, proving your seeds are “industrial” could be a legal nightmare.

Real-World Consequences

  • Seed Banks: Online and local seed banks could be shut down or forced to stop selling most strains. International shipping? Forget it—customs will seize anything flagged as “marijuana.”
  • Breeders: Creating new strains could become illegal if the seeds might produce >0.3% THC plants. Years of genetic work could be criminalized.
  • Home Growers: Trading seeds with friends or saving your own could make you a federal target, even in legal states. Got a favorite strain? Its seeds might be contraband.
  • Legal States: Federal law trumps state law. Even if your state says cannabis is cool, the feds could still bust you for seeds classified as marijuana.

You can find the bill here: FY26 AGRICULTURE BILL

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Keep making seeds og

:see_no_evil::hear_no_evil::speak_no_evil:

Rough patch ahead?

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in the US you will never have to prove your innocence. the government has to prove you are guilty.
loopholes will remain.

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Definitely a shift coming.

I don’t believe that a home grower making some seed is going to be a target for federal prosecution. Even when it was completely illegal the feds had certain thresholds about size they needed before stepping in.

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Its just birdseed, what y’all talking about?

But for real though. Always a part of the equation no-one wanted to talk about…if legalized, there will be major restrictions on home-grow.

The government protects the industry not the consumer from my experience

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Even worse is the big beautiful bill getting passed. They are going to start using AI to preemptively target criminals online in the US. What do you think that means for a forum like this?

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We can look at the hemp industry for how I see the future of legal weed.

I personally believe we need to keep our genetics separate from commercial strains. Paranoid about the Monsanto model

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More reason for everyone to get a hemp license in the US. Even if you’re in a medical or recreational state it’s still a good idea to have one.

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That’s an interesting idea. :thinking:
Thanks.

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All I know is I’m extremely thankful for all you OGs here that have made the stash of beans possible because if this is passed I don’t have to buy or trade any for a long ass time :rofl:

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Boy, this is fun news

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How does a hemp license help?

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In this instance it wouldn’t help at all I’d imagine. It would help if the bill isn’t passed though

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Industrial Hemp Exception. Seeds for fiber, grain, or “research” might still count as industrial hemp.

Hemp farmers have R&D research abilities nobody else has. Your seeds are safe in your hemp R&D projects. You can also legally sell or trade with other people who have hemp licenses

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But with this new law being introduced it would make any hemp seed that produces a plant with more than the stated thc percentage then it is no longer hemp and will be classified as marijuana. Just going off what the op posted here I have no idea if this is all true or not

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Precisely. What they are doing is fucking around and possibly putting the $$$ back in the game for those of us who used to play pre-legalization.

And none of what we do is legally federally…unless yer growing the ditchweed. Just ignore em and go on like in the old days. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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I also think one version I read says something about the parents of the seeds being a factor also.

I interpreted this as any seed made by high thc plants is no longer going to be considered birdseed anymore

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They need to create criminals to justify raising their budget.

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I copied the first part from what OP posted. The new bill will have exceptions for hemp farmers growing plants in a research capacity. Those plants and seeds will be exempt from any regulations affecting others without a license.

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AI in that regard has a rate of false positives that is far beyond justifying it’s use. So yes it will be annoying during the hype.

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