A push by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell to close a loophole that enabled the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived products has become a major point of conflict in negotiations to reopen the federal government. His effort is being opposed by fellow Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.

After a key vote on Nov. 9, senators have begun advancing a plan to end the shutdown, now stretching past 40 days. That plan involves combining three appropriations bills into one package that could move through Congress this week and is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump if it reaches his desk.

One of those bills contains provisions that would ban products containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana. In recent years, hemp — which McConnell has described as marijuana’s

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