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◆ Mixed look for RickettsHealthcareCriminal Justice

GOP senators call for DOJ to investigate Chinese role in hemp, cannabis markets

Ricketts signed the senators’ request for a Justice Department investigation and was a lead sponsor of an amendment to keep the ban on schedule.

GOP senators call for DOJ to investigate Chinese role in hemp, cannabis markets
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This article1 analysis · Oct 2, 2026
The Hill
Oct 1, 2026
tl;dr

Four Republican senators urged the Justice Department to investigate Chinese criminal networks’ role in U.S. cannabis and intoxicating hemp markets. They also argued that closing the hemp loophole would help counter those networks.

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12 VOTES
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Pete Ricketts R · NE · SEN
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People in this story

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Pete Ricketts
R · NE · SEN

Senator who signed the letter and co-led an amendment to remove the ban delay

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Ted Budd
R · NC · SEN

Senator who signed the letter and co-led an amendment to remove the ban delay

Budd's version of this story ↗
Susan M. Collins
R · ME · SEN

Senator who signed the letter requesting a Justice Department investigation

Collins's version of this story ↗
Tom Cotton
R · AR · SEN

Senator who signed the letter requesting a Justice Department investigation

Cotton's version of this story ↗
Todd Blanche
R · Attorney General

Attorney General and recipient of the senators’ letter

Part of a bigger story

3 OUTLETS
Four GOP Senators Ask DOJ to Investigate Chinese Networks in Cannabis Markets

Four Republican senators, including Pete Ricketts, asked the Justice Department to investigate alleged Chinese criminal involvement in U.S. cannabis and hemp markets. Center outlets present the request as a straightforward development and stress the senators’ argument that closing the hemp loophole would counter the networks.

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