Culture
Joe Rogan Criticizes Federal Hemp Ban Signed Under Trump, Points To Alcohol Industry Influence
Published
on November 19, 2025
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Joe Rogan Criticizes Congress for Hemp THC Restrictions, Citing Patient Harm
Podcaster Joe Rogan is calling on Congress to fix what he calls a “really bad” mistake after lawmakers included a prohibition on consumable hemp products in a recent federal spending bill. Rogan warns that the new law could harm people who rely on CBD and other cannabinoids for therapeutic purposes—like his mother-in-law—and blames alcohol industry lobbying for the policy reversal.
On Tuesday’s episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan and comedian Theo Von discussed the federal hemp THC product ban, which was signed into law last week by former President Donald Trump.
“They slipped this thing in where you can no longer buy CBD,” Rogan said. “It has to be like the lowest trace amount of THC in it. Like my wife’s mom, she’s an older lady and she takes CBD for pain for joints and stuff like that.”
The Impact on CBD Users
The law sets THC limits so low that many hemp businesses warn the measure could effectively wipe out the industry. Even non-intoxicating cannabinoids like CBD naturally contain trace amounts of THC, making full compliance virtually impossible without costly production of CBD isolates.
Rogan highlighted the therapeutic benefits of full-spectrum CBD products, which contain small amounts of THC alongside other cannabinoids. This combination, known as the “entourage effect,” is widely reported by patients to enhance pain relief, reduce inflammation, and improve anxiety outcomes.
“People that are getting benefits from CBD see better health outcomes with THC in the mix, even at super, super low amounts,” Rogan said. “Like, this stuff’s not gonna get you high. But it helps with anxiety for a lot of people. It definitely reduces inflammation.”
He also mentioned actor Dave Foley, whose arthritis reportedly improved after using cannabis.
Rogan Calls Out Lawmakers and the Alcohol Lobby
The podcaster directly criticized Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who helped advance the 2018 Farm Bill legalizing hemp, for including the new restrictive provisions. Rogan referred to him as a “dead fucking old turtle” and accused the alcohol industry of influencing Congress to pass the ban:
“It’s the same people that are trying to keep marijuana illegal in Texas. The fact is, when people start smoking weed, they drink less,” Rogan said.
Rogan argued that access to THC-containing CBD products is a public health issue, and he called on Congress to amend the law before it takes effect in a year.
Rogan’s Broader Role in Drug Policy Discourse
This episode is part of Rogan’s ongoing engagement with drug policy on his podcast. Last year, he criticized former Vice President Kamala Harris for allegedly declining a discussion on marijuana legalization and interviewed then-Sen. JD Vance (R-OH) about the medical potential of psychedelics for military veterans.
“Maybe in your neighborhood,” Rogan joked when discussing alternative recreational trends, reflecting the show’s mix of humor and policy debate.
Rogan’s comments underscore the tension between federal hemp regulations, patient access, and industry concerns, highlighting ongoing debates over the therapeutic use of cannabinoids in the U.S.
Image credit: Ahmed Rasfiyan
