Why Banks Treat Hemp Products Differently During Merchant Underwriting

September 10, 2026 (STL.News) The 2018 Farm Bill separated qualifying hemp from marijuana under federal law. A measure enacted in 2025 is scheduled to narrow that federal definition on November 12, 2026. A product can therefore move from one legal category to another even when its label and formula remain unchanged. Banks respond by underwriting the merchantโ€™s exact catalog and operating territory. The word โ€œhempโ€ cannot answer questions about cannabinoid content, intended use, state restrictions, health claims, supply records, or sales behavior. Those details determine the documentation and controls a bank may require. Federal Classification Federal classification begins with

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