Susie Wiles faces scrutiny as the administration seeks to delay a ban on hemp-derived products.
The administration announced a plan to postpone the enforcement of a ban on hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products until December 11. This shift comes after President Trump signed the measure into law last November, leading some lawmakers to question the administration's motives. Critics, including Senator Ted Budd, have expressed confusion over the why the administration is seeking a delay on a policy recently established. Concerns have beenpaced by the fact that Susie Wiles, the White House Chief of Staff, has a son-in-law, Bret Worley, who serves as the CEO of MC Nutraceuticals. Worley's company is a major manufacturer of hemp-derived products and has actively lobbied for the delay. While White House spokesman Kush Desai defended the administration's actions, stating that the Wiles family connection was not a direct lobbying effort, the administration continues to explore a framework to expand treatment options for veterans and patients. The bipartisan spending bill currently under consideration includes the provision to delay the ban, which has expected to come up for a vote this week.