Federal hemp ban less than a month away

Today marks exactly one month until a federal ban on hemp-derived THC products is set to start. Without congressional action, a big Minnesota industry will get crushed. And our Corin Hoggard found a lot of businesses closing or making some painful changes. As of December 11th, the THC beverages they sell here at Indeed and the gummies they sell all across the state will become federally illegal. They'll still be legal here in Minnesota, but this federal ban complicates distribution and sales. It's crazy how fast everything is changing. THC drinks are still filling shelves and displays at Cerdics for the time being, but the outlook isn't too good. Last year, Congress passed a ban on products using THC from hemp. They've since delayed its implementation. But the December 11th deadline is fast approaching, complicating business plans for farmers, manufacturers, and retailers. We don't know what's going to happen. And so it's hard to make a decision on, you know, what you do. Some businesses have already made decisions. MiniGroans stopped making hemp products and is focused on cannabis. Total Wine let its shelves go empty, while Top Ten Liquors went all in. Most banks and insurance companies can't work with THC sales. And the point-of-sale company Square cut off transactions for businesses dealing with THC or CBD. You either have to go cash only. Or you have to use a point-of-sale system that is set up to manage these types of products that are federally illegal. And so we're feeling the effects. The whole industry has already felt the effects to a large degree. Indeed Brewing has seen sales shrink and barriers grow. They're hoping Congress undoes the ban, but Ryan Bandy says they can't plan weeks or months ahead based on hope. They are still making plans, though. Indeed will survive, you know. You know? There's kind of a spirit here in probably a lot of craft breweries that you have to figure it out. Survival for some businesses here in Minnesota is almost guaranteed because this was a $180 million retail industry just last year. But exactly what's on tap and how these businesses are going to shrink is still going to be a mystery for a little while longer. In Minneapolis, Corin Hoggard, Fox 9.