Nikki Fried Calls Out Congress Over Hemp Ban, Asserts Florida Will Move Forward with Marijuana Legalization Soon

If you care about hemp, cannabis justice, and the future of legalization in Florida, you’re going to want to check out the upcoming episode of The Rotation by Suncoast NORML — we’re bringing on Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, for a deep dive into hemp, legalization, and what’s next for the Sunshine State. The episode is titled “Nikki Fried Jumps into the Rotation to Talk Hemp and Legalization.”

Why Nikki Gets a Slot

Nikki Fried has long stood out as one of the most outspoken elected officials in Florida when it comes to hemp and cannabis policy. As former Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, she helped build out the state’s hemp program after the 2019 legalization — shepherding cultivation, processing, licensing, and regulatory oversight at a time when hemp represented a real opportunity for farmers, small businesses, and alternative-crop advocates.

In her recent remarks to media outlets, she slammed Congress for tucking a hemp-THC ban into a spending bill that threatens to unravel much of the progress made over recent years. She described the move as “gut wrenching” for small farmers and entrepreneurs who “put their entire life savings” into legal hemp ventures — now facing an uncertain future thanks to decisions made “in the middle of the night.”

For Florida’s hemp community — including growers, shops, educators (like us), and consumers — that strikes at the heart of livelihoods, livelihoods we’ve spent years trying to legitimize through education, compliance, and community building.

What We’ll Cover in The Rotation

• The real-world impact of the federal hemp-THC ban on Florida’s hemp industry — small farms, CBD retailers, hemp processors, and more.

• Nikki’s perspective on why banning hemp products is bad policy: from economic harm to small-business devastation, consumer safety concerns, and the broader ramifications for legalization efforts.

• The state of play in Florida right now: can legalization for adult-use cannabis still make the ballot? What are the hurdles — and why does she believe 2026 could be the year it finally happens.

• How hemp — when regulated properly — offers a safer, economically sound alternative to alcohol, Big Pharma, and synthetic substitutes. A reminder of why grassroots efforts (like the ones we’ve been running through Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary and Learn Euphoria) still matter.

What This Means for the Suncoast Community

This interview isn’t just a policy discussion — it’s a rallying cry. For hemp-affiliated businesses, growers, educators, and consumers alike, this is a wake-up call. It’s a chance to hear from a high-profile decision-maker who’s rooted in hemp policy and deeply aware of what’s at stake.

If you believe in “legalization through education,” this episode is a powerful tool. Share it with your network, bring your questions, and get ready to plug into the broader fight for sensible, science-based cannabis policy in Florida.

Stay tuned —

click her if you would like to be notified once the episode goes live. You won’t want to miss it.