CRS Updates Hemp Report: H.R. 7567 Shifts to Total-THC Testing

TL;DR: The Congressional Research Service (CRS) updated its hemp-definition report (product code IF13136) on August 18, 2026, noting that the House-passed Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) would shift hemp testing from delta-9 THC to total THC. The change is set against the November 12, 2026 effective date of the P.L. 119-37 statutory definition change.

Key takeaway

H.R. 7567 would test hemp by total THC, not delta-9 alone, a stricter standard CRS flagged ahead of the November 12, 2026 deadline.

What happened

The Congressional Research Service, the nonpartisan research arm of Congress, retitled and updated its "In Focus" product to "Changes to the Statutory Definition of Hemp and Implications for Agricultural Policy," product code IF13136. The update is dated August 18, 2026.

The report states that the House-passed H.R. 7567 would amend the statutory definition of hemp. The central change CRS flags is a shift in hemp testing methodology to total THC, moving away from the current delta-9-THC-only standard.

CRS ties the analysis to a November 12, 2026 deadline, cited as the effective date of the statutory definition change under P.L. 119-37. The update signals active congressional research attention on hemp policy as the Farm Bill moves through the legislative process. You can see how the hemp provisions fit into the broader package in our full bill summary.

What it means

For hemp growers and processors, the practical stakes turn on how THC is measured. Total THC counts both delta-9 THC and THCA (the acidic precursor that converts to THC when heated), while the current delta-9-only standard does not. A total-THC standard is generally stricter and can push more crops over the legal threshold.

• Growers: Varieties that pass under a delta-9-only test may exceed the limit under a total-THC test, raising the risk of non-compliant, potentially destroyed crops.
• Processors and buyers: Testing protocols, lab contracts, and sourcing may need to be revised to reflect total THC.
• Regulators: State departments of agriculture and USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) would need to align sampling and testing rules with the new standard.

The November 12, 2026 date matters because it is when the P.L. 119-37 statutory definition change takes effect. How H.R. 7567's provisions interact with that date is exactly the kind of overlap CRS is tracking. For a side-by-side of how this differs from prior law, see what's new vs. 2018.

What's next

As of August 18, 2026, the CRS update is a research product, not a change in law. H.R. 7567 has passed the House, but the hemp-testing provision would only take effect if the bill is enacted, and the Senate is working its own draft.

The November 12, 2026 effective date for the underlying P.L. 119-37 definition change is fixed unless Congress acts. Whether H.R. 7567's total-THC language reaches the President before or after that date will likely shape how growers and regulators prepare. Track the Senate's competing timeline on our Senate status page.

Expect further CRS updates and stakeholder comment as the two chambers move toward reconciliation. Readers who want to weigh in can find their delegation through contact Congress.

Frequently asked questions

What did the CRS hemp report say about H.R. 7567?

The Congressional Research Service updated its "In Focus" report (product code IF13136) on August 18, 2026. It says the House-passed Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 (H.R. 7567) would amend the statutory definition of hemp by shifting testing to total THC instead of the current delta-9-THC-only standard. CRS cites a November 12, 2026 deadline tied to the P.L. 119-37 definition change.

What is the difference between total THC and delta-9 THC testing?

Delta-9 THC testing measures only delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol in a hemp sample. Total THC testing counts both delta-9 THC and THCA, the acidic precursor that converts to THC when heated. Total THC is generally the stricter standard because it captures more of the plant's THC potential, which can push more crops over the legal limit that would otherwise pass a delta-9-only test.

When does the hemp definition change take effect?

CRS cites November 12, 2026 as the effective date relevant to the hemp-definition provisions under review, tied to the statutory definition change in P.L. 119-37. This is a fixed date unless Congress acts. The separate total-THC testing change in H.R. 7567 would only take effect if that bill is enacted into law.

Does H.R. 7567 change hemp testing rules right now?

No. As of August 18, 2026, H.R. 7567 has passed the House but is not law. Its proposed shift to total-THC testing would only take effect if the bill is enacted. The Senate is working its own competing draft, so the final testing standard depends on how the two chambers reconcile their versions.

What is CRS product IF13136?

IF13136 is a Congressional Research Service "In Focus" product, retitled and updated on August 18, 2026, to "Changes to the Statutory Definition of Hemp and Implications for Agricultural Policy." It analyzes how the House-passed H.R. 7567 would amend the hemp definition and testing standard, and it flags the November 12, 2026 deadline connected to the P.L. 119-37 change.

Sources

• Congressional Research Service , Changes to the Statutory Definition of Hemp and Implications for Agricultural Policy (IF13136), dated 2026-08-18.