SouthernWorldwide.com – Former acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf has alerted House lawmakers to the increasing infiltration of American hemp markets by Chinese criminal organizations. In a letter sent Tuesday, Wolf urged an investigation into the “growing role that Chinese-linked actors and foreign criminal organizations are playing in the proliferation of hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products and illegal marijuana operations” within the U.S., citing risks to both youth and adults.
The letter, addressed to Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), the chairman and ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party respectively, highlighted that beyond public health, this issue poses a significant national security concern.
“What began as a narrowly tailored effort to legalize industrial hemp and non-intoxicating cannabidiol (CBD) products has evolved into a dangerous and unregulated market for high-potency THC hemp products that are being sold across the country with little to no oversight,” Wolf stated. He further elaborated that these products are often disguised as appealing treats like gummies and candies, or as vapes, with packaging and marketing that targets children.
Wolf pointed to the White House’s 2026 National Drug Control Strategy, which had previously warned that the U.S. marijuana trade is no longer a minor issue but has been industrialized by sophisticated, transnational criminal organizations, particularly those with ties to China.
The National Drug Control Strategy document detailed how these groups exploit states with legalized marijuana, using these markets and lenient regulations to establish extensive, unlicensed cultivation sites. It specifically cited Oklahoma, where law enforcement estimates that over 80% of the state’s numerous marijuana and hemp farms are run by Chinese criminal groups.
These operations are described as more than just agricultural ventures; they serve as hubs for various crimes. This includes human trafficking of exploited laborers, complex money laundering schemes, and the use of dangerous, unapproved pesticides that pose threats to public health and the environment.
Wolf also drew parallels to China’s alleged involvement in the export of fentanyl, synthetic narcotics, and illicit supply chain materials that have severely impacted American communities. He expressed concern that the current intoxicating THC hemp market could become another channel for Chinese-linked entities to exploit regulatory gaps and weak enforcement for profit, at the expense of American health and safety.
He reminded lawmakers that Congress had previously passed legislation with bipartisan support to close loopholes concerning intoxicating THC hemp products and to reinstate the original intent of federal hemp laws. However, Wolf cautioned that efforts are now underway to weaken or reverse these protections before they are fully implemented.
Such actions, Wolf warned, would not only undermine public health and law enforcement efforts but could also encourage foreign criminal actors to further exploit the American market and harm American families.
In conclusion, Wolf requested that the committee investigate China’s role in the intoxicating THC hemp supply chain. This investigation should encompass aspects such as financing, chemical manufacturing, illegal cultivation operations, money laundering activities, and connections to the various criminal organizations operating within the United States.
