We’re writing to share an important update on recent changes in U.S. federal law that affect cannabis seeds, hemp, and the broader cannabis industry.
Write your US Senators + Representatives Today and Let Them Know You’re Opposed to Sec 781: https://democracy.io/#!
Hemp Law Changes & Cannabis Seeds
Recent revisions to the definition of hemp as originally set forth in the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill have narrowed the federal definition of hemp, including re-defining the legal parameters for when cannabis seeds are considered “hemp”. With respect to seeds, the new hemp definition still requires them to contain no more than 0.3% THC. Additionally, in order to be considered “hemp”, the new law mandates that cannabis seeds must be harvested from a plant that contains no more than 0.3% THC. Notably, and contrary to some media reports, the new law does not prohibit seeds based on the type of plants that they might produce. Instead, it restricts cannabis seeds based on the type of plant that they come from. This has introduced new legal uncertainty around the sale and interstate movement of cannabis seeds. At a minimum, it may create regulatory and enforcement issues since the legal metric has been changed from the THC levels in a cannabis seed to the THC levels in the plant that produced the seed. It remains to be seen whether and how this new provision will be enforced.
Federal Cannabis Reclassification
At the same time, the U.S. government has initiated the process of reclassifying ‘marijuana’ (cannabis) from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This represents a meaningful shift in federal policy, acknowledging accepted medical use of the plant and potentially easing regulatory and tax burdens for certain stakeholders while also setting in place the foundation for a more comprehensive policy. The rulemaking phase of the EO will provide further instruction on the specifics of the reclassification. We are closely tracking implications for seeds and interstate commerce.
What This Means & What’s Next
Together, these changes create both opportunity and risk for the cannabis genetics community. We are actively assessing the implications and coordinating with industry partners, lobbyists, and legal groups on next steps.
What is clear is that things are changing. We are reaching out to you today to ask that you stay tuned while we work to bring clarity and guidance as the situation develops. Working together will be instrumental to protect what we’ve all built.
In the coming weeks, we will share specific actions you can take as part of the effort to protect access to cannabis seeds and genetic diversity, to include:
- Participating in lobbying, petition and letter writing efforts
- Engaging with local and national media and advocacy groups
- Supporting efforts to,
- extend the current hemp transition period from 12 months to 36 months, giving the industry more time to adapt responsibly
- protect state programs and markets, or
- other legislative proposals that further the cause
Your participation will be critical as policymakers finalize how these rules are implemented. We will need broad grass roots, veteran groups and community support to clearly demonstrate how these changes affect:
- Access to medical and affordable wellness options
- Small businesses and your local economies
- Public safety (restricting seeds does not improve it)
- Patient choice and genetic diversity
- Fair compliance timelines — for example, extending the transition period in Section 781 from 12 months to an appropriate timeline to allow responsible businesses and consumers to adapt without unnecessary harm
Your participation will be critical as policymakers finalize how these rules are implemented. Broad grassroots support, veteran groups, and community engagement will be essential to clearly demonstrate how these changes impact access to medical and affordable wellness options, small businesses and local economies, public safety (noting that restricting seeds does not improve it), patient choice and genetic diversity, and fair compliance timelines. For example, it is important to extend the transition period in Section 781 from 12 months to an appropriate timeline, allowing responsible businesses and consumers to adapt without unnecessary harm.
Thank you for your continued trust and support. We will be in touch again soon as developments continue and further information becomes available.
-Your Friends at North Atlantic Seed Co.
- See Section 781 of the Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, Military 2. Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Extensions Act, 2026 (H.R.5371).Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Pub. L. 115-334. 3. There has been significant confusion in the media about this issue, with many commentators incorrectly asserting that the legal status of cannabis seeds will be based on their potential to create a high THC plant. The new law is clear that the legal status of a cannabis seed is based on the plant from which it came, not the potential type of plant it can grow. 4. See, Executive Order (EO, 18.Dec.2025) Increasing Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research, and the accompanying Fact Sheet.
