This bill, titled the "Lawful Hemp Protection Act," seeks to safeguard legitimate hemp commerce while simultaneously protecting consumers from potentially harmful, high-THC synthetic intoxicants. It addresses concerns regarding minors' access to hemp products, the need for consistent manufacturing and accurate labeling, and the importance of clear provenance standards to build public trust. A central provision redefines "hemp" under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. It increases the permissible total tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration to not more than 1 percent on a dry weight basis. Crucially, this new definition explicitly excludes cannabinoids that are not naturally produced by the Cannabis sativa L. plant or those produced through chemical synthesis, hydrogenation, or other artificial processes that alter their molecular structure, such as HHC and THC-O-acetate. The bill grants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) significant oversight by amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It defines "hemp-derived cannabinoid product" and classifies it as a food , subject to FDA regulations. These products must be derived exclusively from hemp cultivated, processed, and finished within the United States. New prohibited acts include selling hemp-derived cannabinoid products to individuals under 21 years of age and the possession or consumption of such products by minors. Products are deemed adulterated if their cannabinoid content exceeds established maximums, contain unapproved cannabinoids, are intended for food-producing animals, or include harmful added substances like alcohol or caffeine. Extensive misbranding provisions are introduced, requiring detailed labeling. Labels must display total THC content per serving and package, include prominent government warnings about health effects (e.g., pregnancy, impaired driving), and provide a QR code linking to a certificate of analysis. Packaging that imitates images appealing to children is strictly prohibited. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is mandated to establish maximum allowable cannabinoid content per product and serving within 12 months, subject to periodic review. The bill also requires the establishment of uniform manufacturing and testing requirements, including ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for testing laboratories, to ensure product safety and consistency. Beyond regulation, the bill introduces a new tax framework under the Internal Revenue Code. It imposes a tax on hemp-derived beverages (5 cents per milligram of THC) and other hemp-derived cannabinoid products (5% of the sales price). Manufacturers are also subject to a 5% tax on their sales revenue from these products, and a three-tiered distribution system is mandated for hemp-derived beverages. A "Trust Fund for Oversight of Hemp-derived Cannabinoid Products" is established, funded by these new taxes, to support regulatory oversight, consumer protection, and state cooperation. Additionally, a portion of the tax revenue from hemp-derived beverages is directed to the Highway Trust Fund to support state-level enforcement of zero-tolerance impaired driving standards related to hemp. The legislation includes provisions against unfair competition practices for manufacturers and wholesalers of hemp-derived beverages, prohibiting exclusionary agreements and certain inducements to retailers. It also makes it unlawful to market or sell unfinished hemp-cannabinoid ingredients to entities without the proper permits, ensuring these intermediate products are channeled only to authorized manufacturers. Finally, the bill preserves the authority of states, territories, and Indian Tribes to enact more stringent laws and regulations regarding hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoid products. However, it explicitly prohibits any state from impeding the interstate passage and delivery of compliant hemp-derived cannabinoid products, ensuring a balance between state autonomy and national commerce.