U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell has long been a powerful advocate for the hemp industry.

It was McConnell who spearheaded legislation incorporated into the 2018 Farm Bill that removed hemp and its derivatives from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA)—and the Kentucky Republican could prove invaluable in garnering support for a bill that would pave the way for the lawful marketing of CBD-containing dietary supplements.

“Our biggest champion for hemp and CBD without question has been Mitch McConnell,” said Jonathan Miller, general counsel to the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, in an interview. “Some would argue if he were no longer majority leader, that would hurt our industry.”

If Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) rose to become majority leader of the Senate, Miller predicted McConnell would be named minority leader. Schumer himself has been active on hemp issues. [Read More @ Natural Products Insider]