Alliance member (and the Alliance) in Drinks Business
Alliance member Adam Terry of Cantrip spoke with DrinksBusiness this week. Here’s what was said:
In terms of regulating the space, another issue often raised by critics of THC-infused drinks, Terry spoke about how operators in the sector took “the standard of producing a safe and effective product very seriously”. A Hemp Beverage Alliance advocates for safety and efficacy guidelines as well as regulations of the products.
“While not all of us agree on every point,” he continued, “we all agree that these products should be created with consumer safety in mind, that d9-THC should be a 21+(age group) product category, and that the government should have a hand in regulating these products like any other adult-use only product.”
Read the whole thing at theDrinksbusiness.com.
The Alliance and the Whale
If the Alliance ever had a competition for "Best Company Name," Whale Pod would surely be nominated.
Of course, the Michigan-based company would also be contenders to win "Most Innovative Product," "Most Recyclable Product," and quite possibly "Quietest Company Making a Big Impact in the Industry."
Take a look at their shipping boxes and you'll see a clean design that is easy on the environment. Talk to their founder and you'll appreciate their commitment to the industry and the brands that are building it.
"We strongly believe in this category and encourage everyone in the supply chain to support the Alliance and its goals," said Jim MacGregor, founder of Whale Pod Shipper. "When we all pull together, there's no limit to what we can do."
Whale Pod products eliminate the need for bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or other filling materials. Their "Econo-Pods" feature double corrugate wall protection on all sides and top, and triple wall on the bottom. They perfectly fit 4 packs or 6 packs of cans held together by PakTech holding tops (which are also 100% recyclable), making it very easy to just place the pack of cans into the box, sealing, and shipping.
Whale Pod Shipper was one of the Alliance's first "supply chain partners" and one of the first to display the Alliance logo on their website. When we all headed out to Las Vegas to attend the National Beer Wholesalers Association trade show, Whale Pod stepped up to offer shipping boxes to any brand who needed them.
Suffice to say, we dig these guys.
Drink the North!
In a world filled with options, Hemp Beverage Alliance member North has emerged as a company driven to ensure adults enjoy the good vibes of life while making conscious decisions about their beverage choices. Life is a beautiful journey, and North’s purpose is to enrich it with exceptional cannabis-infused beverages.
"We believe in the power of good vibes, and we've harnessed the magic of cannabis to enhance those moments. We're more than just a company; we're a way of life. With North, you're not just buying a beverage; you're investing in a lifestyle," said Mike Colich, co-founder and president.
North is a value-focused company and are guided by four primary tenets:
North’s co-founders, seen here with a camel wearing a hat.
Customer-Focus
At North, customers are the compass, the guiding force behind everything they do. Team members obsess about creating experiences that exceed expectations, with satisfaction being the company's driving motivation.
"We strive to delight you with every sip of our cannabis-infused creations," said Colich. "We are dedicated to understanding our customers’ needs and desires to deliver products that resonate with their lifestyles."
Product-Forward
North products are the embodiment of excellence. They are more than just beverages; they are a testament to the company's commitment to quality and consistency. North uses only natural, premium ingredients combined with expertly crafted cannabis extracts to ensure optimal function. Every can of North is a celebration of flavor, journey, and a commitment to delivering a remarkable experience.
Accessible & Convenient
"We want our products to be a part of your life, whenever and wherever you need them," said Colich. "We believe that enjoying good vibes should be hassle-free, so we ensure our products are affordable and readily available. North is here to accompany you on your journey, no matter where it takes you."
Partnerships
North views their partners as an integral part of the family. They understand solid relationships are the cornerstone of success.
North’s journey is driven by innovation, quality, and a deep respect for customers and partners. They are committed to pushing the boundaries of what cannabis-infused beverages can be, to help people savor life's pleasures to the fullest.
"We believe in collaboration and working hand in hand with like-minded individuals and organizations who share our passion for quality, wellness, and the good vibes of life. Our partners are essential to helping us spread the #DrinktheNorth message," said Colich.
As they continue to expand their product line, explore new horizons, and cultivate partnerships, North invites everyone to join in this exhilarating adventure.
"Every sip of North is a step towards a life enriched with good vibes, and we can't wait to share this journey with you," said Colich
So, raise a glass and toast to the future, where North is your trusted companion in enjoying the art of living, one conscious choice at a time.
Cheers to the good vibes of life!
Hemp Beverage Alliance in CBD Oracle
The Alliance is one of many organizations that offered suggestions to Congress on the regulation of CBD. CBD Oracle included our response in their most recent story:
"After the House Energy and Commerce Committee requested information about CBD and hemp in late July, the industry had just under a month to put together submissions. We collected responses from industry experts and submitted them, but many hemp and cannabis organizations also did the same thing. The core question at the heart of all this is: how should we regulate CBD and hemp products?"
Hemp Beverage Alliance in Beverage Daily
The good folks at Beverage Daily wrote about the growth of the Alliance, the industry, and the opportunities in hemp beverages:
Regulatory confusion and poor availability is hampering the success of hemp beverages in the US. But the consumer demand is clearly there, says the newly formed Hemp Beverage Alliance - which believes that, if these challenges are addressed, the category will be free to reach its potential.
Read the whole story at BeverageDaily.com.
Hemp Beverage Alliance joins One Hemp
The Alliance supports industry efforts to regulate CBD as a dietary supplement and beverage additive, which is why we added our name to One Hemp, a coalition of top cannabidiol (CBD) companies advocating for legislation and FDA regulation of hemp-derived CBD products.
Learn more about the https://www.onehemp.org/ and check out the news of their launch on Benzinga.
The Hemp Beverage Distributors of New York (and beyond!)
In a world where many distributors hesitate to embrace hemp-infused beverages, one independent company has chosen to be a leader in the industry.
"We know the hemp beverage landscape," said Joe Grabowski, co-founder of Sarene Craft Beer Distributors. "We operate in five states so we know the laws, state by state, and are able to guide new brands as they enter multiple markets. This gives us a competitive edge when we talk to brands, and helps ensure success for our brand partners."
Sarene is more than just a distributor. Part brand builder and part guidance counselor, the team is proud of their ability to support and counsel brands as they navigate the often tricky regulatory landscape.
Sarene cut its teeth in the craft beer market, starting with a few trucks and an attitude that knowledge and agility can be powerful competitive advantages.
“I think one of the reasons we are a leader in this space is that these hemp beverages are extremely akin to the craft beer products we already sell. Our sales team isn't foreign to new or different products. They haven't been selling “RED case, BLUE case” for 20 years and are able to convey some of those finer details to the buyer."
“From a velocity standpoint, hemp beverages are simply amazing. They're flying off the shelves in ways that no one has seen before with any other beverage.” Joe Grabowski (far left)
Based in New York, Sarene Craft Beer is a family-owned company founded in 2014 by two brothers, one cousin and a buddy from college.
"I'm the buddy of the team," Grabowski laughs. "But after marrying my wife (the sister of fellow co-founder Matt Schulman’s wife), we're now all very much a family company in every way."
Sarene Craft Beer now employs over 100 people in five states, servicing more than 6,800 accounts with a fleet of 30 trucks . Now, every day those trucks are being filled with more and more hemp beverages.
"From a velocity standpoint, hemp beverages are simply amazing," said Grabowski. "They're flying off the shelves in ways that no one has seen before with any other beverage."
Sarene credits their relationships with small, independent retailers throughout the Northeast as their key to success in the hemp beverage market. While large corporate chains have been hesistant to carry them, family-owned operations are much quicker to see their value.
"A lot of these mom-and-pop shops are getting hit by the downturn in alcohol consumption," said Grabowski. "Hemp beverages have really been a boon for them."
And while onerous regulations in New York and elsewhere continue to befuddle the industry, the team at Sarene is confident that hemp beverages are the future.
"We see a future where hemp beverages are on every liquor store shelf in the Northeast. And every one of those shelves is stocked with a Sarene Craft brand."
Alliance update
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The #futureofdrinking is #hempinfused
Thank you to everyone who joined our most recent meeting. Special shout-out to our members in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York who provided the most recent updates on the regulations, challenges and opportunities happening in those states.
MEMBERSHIP HITS 77
In less than five months, we’ve gone from a small consortium of startups to more than 77 brands, service providers, manufacturers and ingredient makers. Check out the entire list on our website.
- We also have 688 followers on LinkedIn. With your help, we can get to 689.
ADVOCACY
- Read our response to Congress’ RFI for information on how best to regulate CBD. We also signed onto a larger response in coordination with several CBD brands and manufacturers.
- We recently met with trade associations representing beer, wine and spirits distributors; state hemp farmers and manufacturers; and cannabis companies. Our goal is to build bridges and gather support for a framework that allows low-dose, hemp-derived THC beverages to be sold in conventional retail stores and be regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).
MEMBER BENEFITS
We have a robust Slack channel now, a growing list of distributors and co-packers, and an educational deck for members to use. And as anyone who attends our bi-monthly calls can attest, we are becoming experts on crowd-sourcing the latest regulatory changes in each state. Dues-paying members are highly encouraged to join Slack, as a lot of information is being compiled and discussed there.
DISCUSSIONS AND SHOUT OUTS
We’ve had a great series of presentations from financial institutions, insurance brokerages, co-packers, and can manufacturers. We’ve got several presenters lined up for the fall but there’s still room for more.
Hunter+Esquire and The Hart Group are the first two Alliance members to be profiled on our website. Please check out their stories (here and here) and reach out to them if you need their help.
National Beer Wholesalers Association Trade Show - Oct. 8-11
We’ll be walking the floor at this event (and probably hanging around Cycling Frog’s booth when we get tired). Give us a shout if you’re going to be there… we’d love to meet up in person.
HBA IN THE NEWS
- Marijuana Moment
- Cannabis Regulator
- Post-Journal (western New York)
- Nutrition Insight
- Read previous updates and news stories on our website
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Nutrition Insights: Hemp Beverage Alliance urges alcohol bureau to regulate THC drinks
The Hemp Beverage Alliance discussed the hopeful future of hemp-infused beverages with Nutrition Insights. From the article:
“The Hemp Beverage Alliance recommends that TTB establish a standard for serving size and a measurement to empower and protect consumers and provide consistency across the country.
“The Hemp Beverage Alliance refers to laws recently enacted in Minnesota as a model for new legislation. This law includes that low-potency hemp edible products or beverages may only be sold to people of 21 and older, containers may not contain more than two servings and no more than 5 mg of THC per serving and 10 mg total THC. “
You can read the full story at Nutrition Insights.
For Hunter+Esquire, executive recruiting is a family affair.
Since 2017, husband and wife team Bryan and Jessica Passman have been leaders in cannabis industry executive recruitment and human capital advisory. Their search firm, Hunter + Esquire, expanded its offerings in 2020 to psychedelics medicine businesses in need of such expertise.
"We were the first executive search firm that focused exclusively on the cannabis plant," said Bryan. "We're now recognized as a trusted go-to firm for businesses seeking to hire experienced professionals into their cannabis, hemp or psychedelics organizations."
A few ingredients to Hunter + Esquire's success are their incredible knowledge of the regulatory and political landscape, industry trends, and human capital needs that are required to run a successful company in these nascent industries. Bryan and Jessica also credit their size as an advantage, as it allows them to take more time to understand their clients' needs, now and in the future.
"We're a boutique operation, and that's a superpower for us," said Jessica. "We aren't beholden to any type of big burdensome hierarchy or process. By staying small, we are able to be more thoughtful and strategic in our placements because we can make the very worthwhile time investment that allows us to become experts on our clients’ organizations, which then allows us to partner with them more effectively."
Another strategic advantage is their dedication to the plant itself. Whereas some recruiters see cannabis as a quick opportunity, Hunter + Esquire sees the bigger picture. Their relationship with the plant runs deep and they are passionate believers in the futures of those who have been a part of building the legal industry in recent years.
Jessica and Bryan Passman have been leaders in executive recruitment for the cannabis industry since 2017.
Hunter + Esquire believes that the industry has only just begun to take off, and that the possibilities are endless for how the plant can be incorporated into medicine, food, cosmetics, and more. And because they have significant prior talent acquisition experience and advisement in the life sciences, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food and beverage and consumer packaged goods, Hunter + Esquire is perfectly positioned to help companies succeed.
"Eventually, well-known major consumer package goods (CPG) companies are going to enter this space. Whether it's hemp, cannabis, CBD or something else, it's almost inevitable that corporations like Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, Unilever and others are going to enter the space. We stand ready to assist them in building out the teams that will create and run their hemp and cannabis business units.”
While that is not likely to be a near-term need, the future of cannabis and hemp is coming pretty fast. Big corporations are going to need a partner who knows the landscape and the players. And when that happens, Hunter + Esquire will be there to partner.