Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced legislation on Monday to regulate businesses in the hemp industry. His bill is designed to allow commerce in the industry to thrive while protecting consumers and preventing problematic synthetic products from reaching the market. The senator introduced the bill on April 20, or 420, a contemporary slang phrase for a date recognized for marijuana and “cannabis consumption.”

The Hemp Safety Enforcement Act regulates and guarantees “the safety of hemp and hemp-derived products, preventing a looming federal crackdown from shutting down a thriving, multibillion-dollar American industry.” The bill is a bipartisan effort, cosponsored by Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), noted a press release issued by Paul’s office. The bill was introduced due to conditions in the 2026 agricultural appropriations bill, which restricts hemp products based on a new federal definition of “hemp.”