Hawaii Hemp at a Crossroads: Entering the New Year With a Federal Lawsuit and Everything on the Line
Why Hawaii hemp businesses are starting the year in federal court, what the lawsuit challenges, and how the future of the industry may be decided in 2026
As we move into the new year in Hawaii, the hemp industry is facing one of the most important moments in its history. Legal hemp businesses across the state are entering 2026 under extreme uncertainty, as new state regulations collide with long-standing federal hemp law. What happens next will determine whether Hawaii hemp businesses can continue operating or are forced to shut down despite years of compliance.
For me, this new year begins with my active federal lawsuit challenging Hawaii’s hemp regulations and enforcement practices. The case raises serious constitutional issues, including due process, interstate commerce, and the conflict between state rules and federal hemp protections under the 2018 Farm Bill. This lawsuit is not just about one company. Billions of dollars are on the line across the Hawaii hemp industry, including my own business and every other hemp retailer, distributor, and supplier operating legally in the state.
For years, hemp businesses in Hawaii followed federal guidance, relying on the 2018 Farm Bill and nationally recognized testing standards. Products were openly sold, inspected, taxed, and regulated while state agencies were fully aware of their presence. The sudden regulatory shift has put lawful hemp businesses at risk, creating confusion, financial strain, and the real possibility of closures with little notice or transition.
As we enter the new year, there is cautious optimism. The federal lawsuit is moving forward, and with it comes the possibility of clarity and fairness for the Hawaii hemp market. There has also been discussion around a potential grace period, even though the details remain unknown and nothing has been formally announced. A grace period would give hemp businesses time to adapt and comply rather than being forced into immediate shutdowns. The fact that this is even being discussed shows that the economic and legal impact of these rules cannot be ignored.
This fight goes beyond hemp products or individual companies. It is about whether small businesses in Hawaii can rely on stable regulations, fair notice, and consistent enforcement. It is about whether entrepreneurs who followed federal hemp law will be protected or punished retroactively. These issues affect not just the hemp industry, but the broader business environment in Hawaii.
We are starting the year strong by taking this fight into federal court. This lawsuit represents a stand for due process, lawful commerce, and the future of hemp in Hawaii. The outcome will shape how hemp is regulated in the state and will set an important precedent for how state and federal laws interact moving forward.
As the new year begins, the path forward is clear. Stay compliant. Stay transparent. Stay resilient. This is a make-it-or-break-it year for Hawaii hemp, with millions of dollars, jobs, and livelihoods at stake. We are entering 2026 standing firm and pushing forward, because the future of this industry is worth fighting for.