The Truth Buried in the Shutdown Bill

People are arguing about the government shutdown, pointing fingers at politicians but almost no one realizes what is buried inside that bill. Hidden in the fine print is language that would wipe out thousands of small businesses across the entire country. Farmers, manufacturers and family owned businesses like mine that have spent years trying to do everything the right way. And we are being squeezed out by big money lobbyists who only care about protecting the marijuana industry and their profits.

What happened to the American dream? What happened to protecting small businesses? The hemp industry has been begging for fair regulation for years. But instead of reasonable rules, we face bans. We face shutdowns. We face constant threats while trying to give our communities safe, affordable, natural options.

I am tired. I want to know my business will still be here tomorrow. I want to protect the employees I love. I want my customers to keep the access they depend on. And I want people to ask what happens to them if hemp is gone. Who will help them? Who will they turn to?

Yes, the bad actors need to go. Yes, we want regulation. But why is the marijuana industry trying so hard to monopolize a plant? Why would they rather criminalize something just to erase their competition? Hemp built this space long before them. Hemp fought for access. Hemp gave people options when no one else would.

The truth is simple. Big marijuana and big beverage groups want a monopoly. They want us gone. They are pushing bans and feeding misinformation because they cannot stand that small businesses like mine exist.

The bill may have moved forward, but so am I. I built my business from nothing, and I am not giving up on it now. My employees, my customers, my community — they matter too much. Hemp gave me hope when I needed it most, and I will continue standing for every person who depends on this plant. We are not finished. Not even close.