New Orleans-based hemp industry hoping for last-second reprieve on federal ban

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Consumers across the country have only a few more weeks to purchase intoxicating hemp drinks and other hemp products.

A federal ban on most hemp THC products is set to take effect on Dec. 11, removing the products from the shelves.

Crescent Canna CEO Joe Gerrity warns the looming ban has already been felt locally, telling Fox 8 he’s had to lay off half his staff as demand has wound down.

“It’s been a nightmare,” he said.

He warns the ban would outlaw his company’s products, including the hemp THC drink Crescent 9.

Congress approved the ban in 2025 as part of a deal to reopen the government. The deal included closing a 2018 Farm Bill loophole that allowed the industry to grow.

The passage of the law came after more than 30 bipartisan attorneys general, including Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, signed a letter calling for Congressional action on the issue. They warned the industry was underregulated and a threat to public health.

Republican Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell championed the change, stating in 2025:

“Companies have exploited a loophole in the 2018 legislation. By taking legal amounts of THC from hemp and turning it into intoxicating substances, and then marketing it to children,” he said.

Customers must be 21 to legally buy hemp THC products in Louisiana.

Gerrity said he is trying to lobby Congress for a last-second reprieve that will allow the industry to survive.

“Congress claims to like small business. They claim to represent their constituents. They claim to want to protect jobs and grow the economy. Eliminating the THC market, the hemp market does none of those things,” he said.

The impact could be felt across the city. Port Orleans Brewing Co. brews the THC hemp drink Louie Louie.

Port Orleans Brewing Co. Director of Communications Chase Guillory said the work represents 20-40 percent of the company’s revenue.

“If you care about small business, I would keep it legal,” he said.

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Fox 8 reached out to Congressman Steve Scalise (R-Metairie), Congressman Troy Carter (D-New Orleans), Senator John Kennedy and Senator Bill Cassidy for comment.

Carter’s office referred Fox 8 to a previous statement in support of state regulation of the industry reading in part:

“Regulation will provide a safe product for consumers, new economic opportunities for small businesses, tax revenue for the state, and make it easier to catch bad actors. It’s past time we treat cannabis like any other industry.”

The other congressional offices have not responded.

Gerrity said he is confident change is coming.

“The job losses, the small businesses that would die from this are tremendous,” he said.

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