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◆ Mixed look for CottonHealthcareCriminal Justice

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

Cotton joined three Republican senators in asking the Justice Department to investigate Chinese criminal networks in U.S. cannabis and hemp markets.

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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Tom Cotton R · AR · SEN
● OPEN

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Tom Cotton
R · AR · SEN

Senator who signed the letter requesting a Justice Department investigation

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 ↗
Pete Ricketts
R · NE · SEN

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

Ricketts'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 ↗
Todd Blanche
R · Attorney General

Attorney General and recipient of the senators’ letter

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Four GOP Senators Ask DOJ to Investigate Chinese Networks in Cannabis and Hemp Markets

Tom Cotton and three other Republican senators asked the Justice Department to investigate Chinese criminal networks’ role in U.S. cannabis and hemp markets. The senators also argued that closing the hemp loophole would help counter those networks. Center outlets present the request as a straightforward development and note the senators’ argument linking hemp policy to countering Chinese networks.

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