Hemp Beverage Alliance in Politico
An article in Politico from January 8 dives into the implications of the Trump administration on intoxicating hemp products. The Hemp Beverage Alliance was quoted in the article, which included an overview of current legislative trends:
Both red and blue states are dealing with the proliferation of intoxicating hemp cannabinoids, a booming market that was created thanks to a loophole in the 2018 farm bill.
Congress has punted the farm bill for another year, meaning that any attempts to address the proliferation of intoxicating hemp will fall on state legislatures.
The biggest legislative battle is expected in Texas, home to one of the largest markets for hemp cannabinoids in the country. Unlike other top hemp-producing states like California and New York, Texas does not have a legal recreational marijuana market, nor does it have a comprehensive medical marijuana program — driving consumers to hemp cannabinoids.
Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick put the industry on notice last month when he launched a legislative effort to ban all forms of consumable THC. Thousands of retailers across the state “sell products, including beverages, that have three to four times the THC content which might be found in marijuana purchased from a drug dealer,” Patrick said in a statement.
Hemp businesses, meanwhile, are vowing to push back — just like they did in Illinois earlier this week. Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker threw his weight behind a bill that would require intoxicating hemp products to be sold through regulated marijuana dispensaries. But opposition from hemp businesses during the lame-duck session successfully prevented the bill from getting a final vote on the House floor.
Similar legislative pushes are expected this year in states like Michigan, Missouri and Ohio. Hemp manufacturers, retailers and even alcohol distributors are banding together to push back against bills aimed at clamping down on intoxicating hemp.
"[They are] coming together to come up with a plan that works for everybody providing appropriate framework and guardrails,” said Christopher Lackner, president of the trade group Hemp Beverage Alliance. (Mona Zhang)
