Poll Finds Broad Voter Support for Legal Hemp with Stricter Safeguards

WASHINGTON – A national survey released this week reveals that a solid majority of American voters back the continued legality of consumable hemp products, provided federal authorities introduce tougher safety and licensing rules aimed at shielding children and ensuring consumer protections.

The poll, carried out by McLaughlin & Associates on behalf of the Hemp Industry & Farmers of America (HIFA), a trade group representing growers and retailers, queried 1,000 likely voters from October 1 to 5. It carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. When asked about a federal law that would preserve sales and possession of hemp-based consumables alongside measures like age limits, school-free sales zones, and mandatory health warnings, 72% expressed approval, with just 14% opposed.

That figure cuts across party lines, with 77% of Republicans, 71% of Democrats and 68% of independents in favor. Such alignment points to a rare point of consensus in a divided electorate, where policy battles often split along ideological fault lines. Nearly half of respondents (47%) reported having bought hemp-derived items themselves or knowing someone who had, suggesting the market has woven itself into everyday routines for millions.

The findings come as lawmakers in Washington grapple with the hemp sector’s explosive growth since the 2018 Farm Bill, signed by then-President Donald Trump, removed barriers to low-THC Cannabis cultivation and sales. That legislation sparked a boom in products like delta-8 gummies and THC-infused beverages, now a multibillion-dollar corner of the economy. Yet it also fueled worries over illicit grows, unregulated potency, safety, and youth marketing, prompting fresh scrutiny. Bipartisan efforts in Congress, including proposals to cap THC levels or impose outright bans on certain edibles, have gained traction in recent budget talks.

Digging deeper, the poll uncovers even stronger backing for specific guardrails. Some 87% endorsed child-proof packaging, while 86% favored restricting purchases to those 21 and older. Eight in 10 supported curbs on youth-targeted advertising, and 71% wanted assurances that products steer clear of synthetic psychoactive additives. Voters also likened hemp to alcohol in regulatory terms by a similar 71% margin, a comparison that could sway policymakers toward familiar models like age verification and labeling standards.

From a strategic angle, the data hints at electoral incentives. More than half (55%) said they would lean toward candidates who champion hemp’s legal status with these upgrades, including 62% of Republicans. That could nudge politicians wary of alienating base voters, especially in farm states where hemp farming sustains rural jobs. At the same time, the 14% opposition bloc, though small, likely includes voices focused on enforcement gaps and health risks, a reminder that any overhaul must address those gaps without stifling innovation.

HIFA Executive Director Brian Swensen framed the results as a call for measured action. “Hemp prohibition would amount to overreach that endangers jobs and small operators who’ve played by the rules for years,” he said in a statement. “Lawmakers ought to collaborate on practical rules rather than upend a thriving field.”