The 2018 Farm Bill is the foundation of the American hemp industry. It defined hemp as cannabis containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight — a clear, science-based standard. State agencies like Texas and Oregon are attempting to redefine this standard through administrative rulemaking, bypassing the legislative process. ACFA opposes any administrative action that narrows the Farm Bill definition without Congressional authorization. The Farm Bill must be defended at every level.
The cannabis industry is at risk of corporate consolidation that would lock out the small farmers who built it. ACFA advocates for: tiered licensing fees ($500 max for farms under $500K revenue), small farm set-asides in state licensing programs (minimum 30% of licenses reserved for farms under 10 acres), cooperative marketing support through USDA programs, and prohibition of vertical integration monopolies that control seed-to-sale.
American farmers should not be trapped in single-state markets. The Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution and the 2018 Farm Bill both support free interstate commerce in hemp products. ACFA advocates for: a uniform national compliance standard, federal protection for hemp shipments crossing state lines, elimination of state-level hemp import bans, and a streamlined multi-state licensing framework that reduces regulatory burden.
Quality should be defined by farmers, not corporations. ACFA supports: craft designation standards for small-batch cannabis (similar to craft beer), terroir-based marketing that connects consumers to specific farms and growing regions, sustainable growing practice certifications (organic, sun-grown, regenerative), and seed-to-sale tracking systems that are affordable for small operators (not $50K enterprise platforms).
The artificial distinction between "hemp" and "marijuana" is a relic of prohibition that costs American farmers billions in market access annually. Both are Cannabis sativa L. — the same plant. ACFA advocates for complete federal descheduling, NOT rescheduling to Schedule III. Descheduling would: eliminate the 280E tax burden on cannabis businesses, allow normal banking access, enable USDA crop insurance for cannabis farmers, and create a regulated adult-use market comparable to alcohol and tobacco.
Military veterans are natural leaders in cannabis agriculture — disciplined, mission-driven, and often in need of alternative therapies that cannabis provides. ACFA advocates for: dedicated USDA Farm Service Agency loans for veteran cannabis farmers, GI Bill coverage for cannabis agriculture training programs, mentorship networks pairing veteran farmers with experienced cultivators, and priority licensing for veteran-owned cannabis businesses. Jesse Niesen, USMC veteran and licensed Texas hemp manufacturer, founded ACFA to ensure that those who served have a seat at the table.
Federal H.R. 5371 takes effect November 2026, establishing a comprehensive national framework for hemp and cannabis regulation. States that rush to impose total bans or restrictive Total THC standards ahead of this federal framework are destroying legitimate businesses prematurely. ACFA advocates for: a moratorium on state-level cannabis bans pending federal framework implementation, a federal preemption clause preventing states from imposing standards more restrictive than the Farm Bill definition, alignment between state and federal THC testing methodologies, and transition support for businesses displaced by premature state action.
Cannabis businesses operate in a financial shadow economy because federal banking regulations treat them as high-risk. Only ~830 U.S. banks and credit unions currently serve the cannabis market. The SAFE Banking Act has passed the House seven times but never received a Senate floor vote. 32 state Attorneys General have urged passage. ACFA advocates for: full SAFE Banking Act passage, standard merchant payment processing (Visa, Mastercard, ACH), FDIC insurance for cannabis deposits, SBA loan eligibility, and removal of IRC Section 280E (which can push effective tax rates to 70%+). The typical dispensary would save $268,000/year if 280E were eliminated.
40 states plus DC have medical marijuana programs, yet patients face barriers: high enrollment costs ($200–$400/year), no Medicare/Medicaid/VA coverage, insurance refusals, and employment/housing discrimination for legally prescribed medicine. ACFA advocates for: VA clinical research on cannabis for PTSD, chronic pain, and TBI; Medicare/Medicaid coverage parity for FDA-approved cannabis medications; employment and housing protections for medical patients; and patient access provisions in any federal legalization framework.
Current THC blood testing is not a reliable indicator of impairment — metabolites persist for weeks after consumption. A positive test does not prove impairment at the time of driving. ACFA advocates for: performance-based impairment testing (reaction time, coordination, attention) rather than THC blood levels, federally funded research into cannabis-specific field sobriety assessments, rejection of per se THC limits that criminalize legal users, law enforcement training programs, and data collection on traffic safety outcomes in legalized states. Evidence shows no significant increase in traffic fatalities attributable to legalization.