Wisconsin’s hemp industry is at a crossroads. Two new bills — Assembly Bill 503 and Assembly Bill 606 — were recently introduced that could dramatically reshape, and potentially devastate, the state’s hemp market. At first glance, these proposals appear to focus on “safety” and “regulation.” But as written, they risk dismantling years of progress made by Wisconsin farmers, processors, and small businesses who’ve built this industry from the ground up.
Assembly Bill 503 — The “Ban Bill”
AB 503 claims to clarify the definition of hemp, but in practice, it would ban most hemp-derived products currently on the market. Our CEO and Co-Founder, Austin Wszolek, spoke out against the bill, calling it what it really is — a reactionary ban disguised as safety reform.
“AB 503 is being framed as a safety bill, but it’s really a ban. And bans have never solved anything. They don’t make people safer — they just push businesses and consumers underground where there’s zero oversight, zero testing, and zero accountability.” -Austin W.
The federal 2018 Farm Bill clearly defines hemp as cannabis containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC — a definition Wisconsin’s entire program was built on. AB 503 would break from that federal alignment, introducing confusion even its authors can’t fully explain.
Rather than keeping consumers safe, it would wipe out compliant Wisconsin operators, driving jobs, innovation, and tax revenue out of the state and back into the black market.
Austin added: “If the goal is safety, regulate smart — testing, age limits, transparent labeling, and penalties for people who cut corners. But don’t destroy an entire industry because of perceived danger.”
Assembly Bill 606 — The “Alcohol Model” Bill
AB 606 aims to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoid products under the same system as alcohol — renaming the Division of Alcohol Beverages to the Division of Intoxicating Products and granting that agency sweeping new authority.
At first glance, the bill includes some reasonable ideas: age limits, labeling, and testing standards — all measures the hemp industry already supports.
But the rest? A disaster for small businesses.
“Folding hemp into the alcohol system isn’t sensible regulation — it’s protectionism,” Austin told lawmakers. “It hands control to the same large alcohol networks that already dominate this state and leaves little to no room for Wisconsin’s independent hemp producers.” -Austin W.
If passed, AB 606 would:
- Hand nearly exclusive distribution rights to large alcohol wholesalers.
- Force small wellness stores and local retailers to comply with rules never designed for them.
- Strip manufacturers like Carbon Cannabis of the ability to sell directly online to customers who prefer discretion.
- Impose an arbitrary excise tax without data, analysis, or transparency.
Austin noted the irony of placing cannabis oversight under Wisconsin’s alcohol board, saying:
“Cannabis is not alcohol. Treating it as such is lazy policy. Especially when Wisconsin already struggles with one of the highest rates of alcohol abuse in the country.” -Austin W.
A Call for Collaboration, Not Criminalization
Perhaps the most alarming part of both bills? No one from the actual hemp industry was invited to the table.
“My company is the largest THC beverage brand in Wisconsin, and not once were we asked to provide input,” Austin told the committee. “None of the legitimate operators who have built this market were consulted. Yet we’re the ones these bills would destroy.”
Carbon Cannabis and other local hemp businesses have consistently supported common-sense regulation — third-party testing, age restrictions, and clear labeling — but these bills go far beyond that. They risk criminalizing compliance, rewarding out-of-state distributors, and gutting Wisconsin’s homegrown hemp economy.
“We want regulation. We want safety. But we also want fairness and representation. Don’t criminalize compliance. Don’t ban what you don’t understand.” -Austin W.
The Path Forward
The hemp industry has created thousands of jobs, generated millions in tax revenue, and provided consumers with safe, tested, accessible alternatives to alcohol and pharmaceuticals.
Now, all of that progress is under threat. Wisconsin deserves legislation that protects both consumers and small businesses — not one that hands control to corporate interests. Austin has formally offered to work with lawmakers to redraft fair, effective policy that promotes safety and sustainability for everyone.
“Let’s create smart, balanced policy that keeps products safe, keeps jobs local, and keeps Wisconsin competitive in an industry that’s here to stay.” -Austin W.
Take Action: Protect Wisconsin Hemp
The future of hemp in Wisconsin depends on all of us. If you believe in local jobs, safe access, and fair regulation — now is the time to speak up.
Here’s how you can help:
- Contact your local representatives and urge them to vote NO on AB 503 and AB 606.
- Share this post to spread awareness within your community.
- Support Wisconsin-made hemp products and businesses that are doing it the right way.
Together, we can make sure Wisconsin’s hemp industry stays regulated, not eradicated — and continues to thrive for years to come.
