Native America Calling: Native hemp producers caught off guard by near total ban in the bill reopening federal government

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Native America Calling: Native hemp producers caught off guard by near total ban in the bill reopening federal government

Monday, November 17, 2025

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Native hemp producers caught off guard by near total ban in the bill reopening federal government

A surprise insertion in the bill to end the federal government shutdown has thrown Native hemp producers into chaos.

The language prohibits products like beverages, vapes, and gummies containing THC compounds derived from hemp. Those products were widely available and contribute to a nearly $30 billion industry. Among them is the Lac du Flambeau tribe that produces and sells hemp-derived products.

The end of the government shutdown also means the clock is ticking for Native Americans receiving health insurance subsidized by the Affordable Care Act. Without action by Congress, insurance premiums for those people will jump significantly after the start of the New Year.

Tune into Native America Calling to hear about what the possible options are foa the millions of people facing a major hike in insurance costs.

Guests on Native America Calling

Angie Wilson (Pit River Tribe), tribal health director for Reno-Sparks Indian Colony

Rob Pero (Bad River Tribe), founder and president of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association and the owner of Canndigenous

Candace Thompson (Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Indians), director of cannabis operations for the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Indians, headquartered in Wisconsin

Dionne Holmquist (Aztec ancestry), director of biobased solutions at Makoce Agriculture Development