AGE RESTRICTION
The sale of cannabinoid-infused beverages should be 
restricted to adults aged 21 years or older.


SUPPLIERS

  • Labels should clearly indicate through text and symbol that the product is for use only by adults aged 21 years or older.

  • Packages should be tamper-evident and consistent with current alcohol containers

RETAIL SALES

  • Hemp beverages should be sold only to adults aged 21 years or older, with age-verification required prior to sales.

  • Retailers should be licensed to ensure compliance in selling only to adults aged 21 years or older.

  • Retailers should be trained to understand the importance of age-gating hemp beverages. Training should include but not be limited to carding/age identification; safe storage of product to prevent theft; safe marketing/shelving/display of product

DISTRIBUTION

  • Wholesale distribution and sales of hemp beverages should be limited to businesses that are appropriately licensed.

  • Distributors should be licensed to ensure hemp beverages are only distributed to properly licensed retailers that comply with 21+ retail sale requirements. 

  • Distributors should reject suppliers that do not adhere to label requirements regarding age gating, COAs, warnings, and other regulatory requirements.

DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER (DTC) SALES

  • Where permitted by state law, businesses engaging in DTC sales should be subject to similar licensing requirements as physical retailers to ensure compliance in selling only to adults aged 21 years or older.

  • Online DTC retailers should be required to implement analogous industry standard protective measures (e.g., DTC alcohol sales) to ensure hemp beverages are only purchased by and delivered to adults aged 21 years or older. 

MARKETING

  • Suppliers and retailers must not target, or otherwise promote hemp beverages to, people below the legal drinking age (LDA). Such restrictions should apply to all methods of marketing and advertising, including social media.

  • Marketing restrictions should reflect current restrictions for the alcohol industry.

  • Product labeling should not include designs, names, or features designed to appeal to children.

  • Product labels and marketing should not be designed to create consumer confusion or infringe on third-party copyright or intellectual property of existing products.