Senate Panel Flags Misleading Cannabis Marketing, Backs Psychedelics Research

LOS ANGELES- The Senate Appropriations Committee released a report accompanying the 2026 agriculture and FDA spending bill that raises concerns over deceptive marketing in the cannabis sector while endorsing expanded federal support for psychedelics research. Although the legislation includes language to ban hemp-derived products containing any detectable THC, the accompanying report urges further action on public safety and research fronts.

The report expresses alarm over noncompliant cannabis product claims, stating that many items on the market are promoted with unsubstantiated assertions about treating serious conditions such as COVID-19 and cancer—marketing the committee finds misleading and in breach of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It calls on the FDA to intensify efforts to monitor marketing claims and harmonize data sharing with states to safeguard consumer interests.

On psychedelics, the Committee commends growing interest in clinical applications of substances like MDMA and psilocybin. It encourages the FDA, Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and NIH to coordinate and support public-private partnerships, and requests a comprehensive progress report within 180 days of the bill’s enactment. The move reinforces momentum behind psychedelic therapy trials addressing mental health.

Regarding hemp, the report complements the bill’s THC-zero threshold by directing the FDA to engage with industry stakeholders to develop science-based cannabinoid limits, age restrictions, labeling standards, and safety metrics. It also allocates funding to the USDA’s hemp genomics and germplasm research programs—aimed at improving crop yield and product consistency