Epstein files victory creates opportunity for hemp THC supporter

Thanks to the Epstein files, U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie is having a political moment that in the long term could be a boon for hemp-derived THC.

The Kentucky moderate Republican and hemp supporter was one of two GOP House lawmakers to vote against the bill that ended the government shutdown while also imposing federal hemp THC prohibition.

And as the central figure in the successful effort compelling President Donald Trump to release documents pertaining to deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Massie’s political stock is rising high.

The matters are unrelated. But Massie’s victory means he has political capital to burn on pet issues.

And one of them is saving hemp-derived THC.

Epstein files victory ‘raises profile’ of hemp THC supporter

“I think this definitely raises Massie’s profile,” said Jonathan Miller, general counsel of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, a key Washington lobby.

However, Miller added, Massie is still a backbencher – if a vocal one.

A longtime supporter of the $28.3 billion hemp industry, Massie was dead-set against the redefinition of hemp that closes the loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill tucked into the spending bill Trump signed into law last week

“I detest the tactics that are being used to try to get this ban enacted into law,” Massie told reporters.

Massie and Florida U.S. Rep. Greg Steube were the only Republicans to vote against the spending bill.

From there, Massie turned his attention to federal records related to Epstein, the notorious sex trafficker who died in federal prison in 2019 – and who knew Trump socially.

As Politico observed, Massie led the effort to convince other House Republicans to defy the president and vote to release the files, in which the president is mentioned to some extent.

Trump has denied all wrongdoing.

Massie withstood vicious personal attacks from the president and a Trump political operative organizing a primary challenge to unseat the seven-term lawmaker.

According to Politico, Massie has more campaign contributors than ever, with more than $2 million in cash on hand for his reelection bid.

Senate supporter of files release also supports hemp THC regulation

However, the key lawmaker hemp interests are targeting in their lobbying blitz in the short term is Virginia Republican U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, Miller said.

Griffith chairs a key subcommittee on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where any hemp-related legislation is likely to begin.

He’s also authored past bills supporting CBD and hemp.

In an interesting coincidence, one of hemp THC’s top supporters in the Senate is leading an effort in that chamber to release the files.

Massie is working with Oregon Democrat Sen. Jeff Merkley, author of a Senate bill that would make the files public,  to put the matter to a vote, Politico reported.

Merkley is one of eight Senate Democrats to call for regulating hemp-derived THC products. He also voted against the spending package that ended the shutdown.