Politics
Debbie Doniger, Jason Provost: Ashley Moody, listen to the Floridians who rely on hemp
Before the government builds a new system to help older Americans access hemp wellness products, it should learn from the people already using them — and the community businesses helping them make informed, affordable choices.
For five years at The Pharm Stand in The Villages, Florida, we have helped older adults navigate questions that any effective approach must address: Which products can they trust? Where can they find clear guidance? And can they afford the options that fit their needs?
Sen. Ashley Moody, we urge you to bring those experiences into the conversation in Washington. As Congress considers the future of hemp, the people whose lives would be affected deserve a voice.
The national debate often focuses on dangerous products, irresponsible sellers and concerns about children. Those concerns require action. But they tell only part of the story.
We meet older Floridians who say hemp products help them sleep, manage everyday discomfort or unwind. Others choose hemp beverages as an alternative to an evening alcoholic drink. For these customers, the debate is personal. Decisions in Washington could take away products they have made part of their routines.
There is also a larger question worth asking: Why should adults be denied the opportunity to explore responsibly made, plant-derived wellness products when so many are looking for alternatives to alcohol or other conventional approaches to sleep, relaxation and everyday discomfort?
Hemp products aren’t risk-free, and they aren’t right for everyone. But consumers deserve the opportunity to make informed choices, with accurate information and appropriate healthcare guidance. Rather than eliminating access, policymakers should focus on credible research, meaningful safeguards, and responsible regulation that lets adults explore their options while protecting public health.
Over five years, we have learned that an overwhelming assortment of products does little to help someone make an informed decision. Clear explanations, reliable testing and understandable labels are far more useful. People want to know what they are buying and how it fits their preferences and wellness goals.
Before creating a new bureaucratic structure, policymakers should examine how communities are already addressing these practical challenges. Existing businesses and their customers can offer lessons about education, product selection, affordability and trust. Studying those experiences could help shape a more accessible, cost-conscious approach.
Congress established a legal framework for hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill. Farmers developed a market, businesses invested, and consumers began incorporating hemp products into their lives. A provision in the 2025 government funding law then sharply narrowed that framework, threatening many products adults currently purchase.
Sen. Moody, we are asking you to help Congress establish enforceable standards that protect consumers while preserving responsible access.
That means independent testing, accurate labeling, clear serving information, sensible potency limits and strict age requirements for intoxicating products. It means addressing misleading health claims and holding sellers accountable when they market to children or misrepresent what is in a package.
As a locally owned, community-based business, The Pharm Stand has built its approach around making hemp wellness approachable, educational and affordable. Rather than creating an intimidating, clinical environment, we offer a welcoming place where customers can ask questions, learn about products and explore options without pressure. Our experience has shown us the value of combining straightforward product education, thoughtful selection, competitive pricing and a sense of community.
The economic impact also deserves serious consideration. Hemp-derived THC beverages are experiencing rapid growth, with industry data showing wholesale volume increased 133% from 2024 to 2025. One market estimate placed U.S. hemp-derived THC beverage sales at $382 million in 2024, up from $102 million in 2023.
This growth represents more than consumer demand; it supports businesses, jobs, farmers and local economies. Policymakers should consider what is at stake before enacting restrictions that could undermine a growing industry and eliminate products adults have come to rely on. Sensible regulation can protect consumers without unnecessarily dismantling a legitimate market.
We have five years of experience listening to the people it affects. Their questions and concerns deserve attention beyond the businesses that serve them.
Sen. Moody, we invite you to hear directly from these Floridians. Ask why they use hemp, what safeguards they want and what losing access would mean. Then help build a federal approach grounded in their experiences — one that makes informed choices safer, more affordable and accessible.
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Debbie Doniger and Jason Provost own The Pharm Stand in The Villages.
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