Federal lawmakers closed the 2018 Farm Bill hemp loophole in November 2025 legislation, redefining hemp to impose a 0.4 mg total THC cap per container and counting THCA and other intoxicating cannabinoids. This renders standard 5 mg hemp-derived delta-9 seltzers non-compliant under federal rules. The effective date was delayed from November 12 to December 11, 2026, via a September 2026 short-term funding bill. A bipartisan Beverage Regulatory Parity Act introduced in August 2026 would instead cap servings at 5 mg THC, impose 21+ age limits, and apply alcohol-style three-tier distribution, though it lacks committee action. Trader consensus on near-term legality reflects the fixed December deadline, limited legislative progress on alternatives, and state-level variations in enforcement.