On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, host Joe Rogan — joined by comedian Theo Von — took aim at a surprising and controversial provision in a federal spending bill signed into law. The new law imposes sweeping restrictions on hemp-derived THC products, effectively re-criminalizing many popular CBD oils, vapes, edibles, and other cannabinoid-containing goods. READ MORE: Marijuana Moment

What followed was a brutal, no-holds-barred rant, filled with frustration — and a blunt warning about who really benefits from such policies. Their message: this isn’t about safety — it’s about protecting legacy industries.

What the Law Did — and Why It Matters

The spending bill signed by Donald Trump includes a new provision that slashes the maximum allowable THC in hemp-derived consumable products to roughly 0.4 milligrams per container — essentially making effective THC content impossible under legal hemp frameworks. READ MORE: The Washington Post

That might sound like a technical tweak — but in practice, it means nearly all “full-spectrum” CBD oils, delta-8 edibles, vapes, and other hemp-derived products could be rendered illegal under federal law. Industry analysts warn the change could “wipe out” a multi-billion-dollar segment nearly overnight. READ MORE: WIRED

For many consumers — especially medical users relying on gentle cannabinoids for pain, anxiety, or inflammation — the shift could cut off access to viable alternatives.

Rogan & Von: What They Said

On Episode #2413, Rogan and Von went full rage on the legislation.

“They slipped this thing in where you can no longer buy CBD,” Rogan said. “It has to be like the lowest trace amount of THC in it.” READ MORE: Marijuana Moment

He added that his own mother-in-law relies on full-spectrum CBD with trace THC for joint pain, and warned the change threatens access for everyday people who rely on these products for legitimate medical relief.

He laid the blame squarely at the feet of lobbying interests:

“It’s the same people that are trying to keep marijuana illegal in Texas. It’s the alcohol lobby.” READ MORE: Marijuana Moment

Theo Von, typically the voice of humor, chimed in with mockery — poking at lawmakers and their back-room deal making, while voicing frustration for people needing cannabinoids for relief. Though he didn’t soften Rogan’s message, his levity helped amplify the absurdity of banning products many rely on.

Towards the end of their back-and-forth, Rogan hit a serious note:

“There’s something about how CBD and THC work in a synergistic way,” he said — referencing the widely cited “entourage effect,” where multiple cannabinoids and terpenes work together for therapeutic benefit. READ MORE: MySA

He pleaded for Congress to “change this really bad law” before hundreds of thousands of Americans lose access to legal, helpful products.

What This Could Mean for Consumers & Industry

If enforced as written, the new federal restriction could lead to:

• A nationwide wipe-out of most hemp-derived cannabinoids with even trace THC — including CBD oils, delta-8 edibles, vapes, and drinks.
• A collapse of businesses and jobs tied to hemp products — critics say the ban could affect as many as 300,000 jobs and erase an industry worth billions.
• A potential resurgence of the illicit market — once legal, regulated alternatives vanish, consumers may turn to unregulated suppliers.
• Widespread loss of access for patients and older adults who depend on full-spectrum hemp products for chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation or sleep — especially in states without adult-use cannabis programs.

Bigger Implications: What Rogan & Von Are Warning Us About

What’s at play here, according to Rogan and Von, isn’t public health — it’s money and influence.

Rogan argued that alcohol industry lobbyists likely pressured Congress into the prohibition, positioning hemp-derived cannabinoids as a threat to traditional booze profits. “When people start smoking weed, they drink less,” he quipped. READ MORE: Marijuana Moment

Behind the humor is a sharp critique of how legislation can be quietly amended, slipped into funding bills, and passed — all with minimal public debate. Von and Rogan framed the issue as a broader assault on personal freedom:

“They slipped something in this last bill… you can no longer buy CBD,” Rogan said with exasperation. READ MORE: MySA

It’s a rallying cry for regulation that prioritizes safety and choice — not prohibition by stealth.

What’s Next: Potential Paths Forward

• Congressional challenge or amendment: Lawmakers like Rand Paul have already voiced opposition. Some hemp-friendly Republicans may push to strip the provision before it goes into full effect.
• State-level protections: States with existing hemp or cannabis programs may attempt to protect intrastate sales of hemp-derived products — though the new law complicates interstate commerce. READ MORE: The Guardian
• Industry lobbying and legal challenges: Hemp businesses and advocacy groups may mount legal challenges or lobby for a defined regulatory framework, rather than an outright ban. READ MORE: WIRED
• Consumer mobilization and awareness: With voices like Rogan and Von amplifying concern, public pressure might grow — especially from users who rely on these products for health reasons.

Final Thoughts

The recent conversation between Joe Rogan and Theo Von laid bare something many in the cannabis and hemp world already feared: a law quietly signed could undo years of progress.

Rogan, always unfiltered, didn’t hold back: he chewed out lawmakers, pointed fingers at the alcohol lobby, and urged Congress to fix what he called a “really bad mistake.” READ MORE: Marijuana Moment. Von backed him with humor and heart — but also real concern for people whose health might be collateral damage.

In a moment when hemp-derived cannabinoids had become mainstream — in CBD oils, vapes, gummies, drinks — this new law threatens to push many products back underground. For users relying on full-spectrum hemp for pain, anxiety, or sleep — or older folks like Rogan’s mother-in-law needing relief — the consequences could be deeply personal.

Whether Congress, the industry, and consumers push back hard enough to reverse or reform the ban remains to be seen. But after this week’s rant? I wouldn’t bet against it.