What is the impact of the shutdown deal on Georgia's hemp industry?

The shutdown deal includes a provision that would effectively ban many hemp-derived products, threatening to devastate Georgia's fast-growing hemp industry and put thousands of jobs at risk.

How would the Scofflaw Brewing Co. be affected by the proposed hemp ban?

Scofflaw Brewing Co., an Atlanta-based company that pivoted to hemp-derived THC beverages, would be forced to eliminate positions and cut back on production if the ban takes effect, potentially costing 101 Georgians their jobs.

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Shutdown Deal Threatens to Devastate Georgia's Hemp Industry

Q: How has hemp-derived drinks helped a Marine Corps veteran stay sober?

A Marine Corps veteran who works at Scofflaw Brewing Co. credits hemp-derived drinks for helping him maintain his sobriety after struggling with PTSD and alcohol abuse. He now fears losing both his job and the product that aided his recovery.

13 Nov

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Summary

Provision in shutdown deal bans many hemp-derived products
Threatens fast-growing hemp industry in Georgia
Shutdown deal could force businesses like Scofflaw Brewing to close

Shutdown Deal Threatens to Devastate Georgia's Hemp Industry

As of November 13, 2025, a controversial provision in a recent shutdown deal is poised to devastate Georgia's fast-growing hemp industry. Buried deep in the agreement is a measure that would effectively ban many hemp-derived products, including THC-infused beverages and edibles currently sold across the state.

The 2018 Farm Bill had previously legalized hemp production and interstate transport, allowing Georgia businesses to thrive in this new market. However, the shutdown deal now seeks to reverse that progress by requiring any THC in a product to be directly extracted from the hemp plant and restricted to trace levels. This shift in sourcing, not just potency, could shutter businesses overnight.

One such business is Scofflaw Brewing Co., an Atlanta-based company that pivoted to hemp-derived THC beverages last year to stay afloat. Co-founder Matt Shirah warns that the proposed ban would force them to eliminate positions and cut back on production, potentially costing 101 Georgians their jobs. Among those employees is a Marine Corps veteran who credits these hemp-derived drinks for helping him maintain his sobriety after struggling with PTSD and alcohol abuse.