HEMP BEVERAGE ALLIANCE IN MG RETAILER
The good folks at mg Magazine picked up our press release about Michelle Bodian joining us as general counsel. You can read the whole thing here.
MICHELLE BODIAN JOINS HEMP BEVERAGE ALLIANCE AS GENERAL COUNSEL
The Hemp Beverage Alliance today announced cannabis and hemp regulatory specialist Michelle Bodian has joined the organization as general counsel.
“Michelle and Vicente LLP were early supporters of the Hemp Beverage Alliance and have been instrumental in getting us where we are today,” said Christopher Lackner, founder and president, Hemp Beverage Alliance. “We are thrilled to officially add her to our leadership team and look forward to working together to grow the Alliance and the industry.”
Ms. Bodian serves as a partner in Vicente LLP’s Boston and New York offices, where she is co-chair of the firm’s Hemp and Cannabinoids Department and is a leading member of the firm’s cannabis licensing and regulatory compliance efforts in Connecticut and New York. In addition, Michelle leads the firm’s Environment, Health & Safety practice group.
“I’ve had the pleasure of watching the Alliance grow into a powerhouse industry leader,” said Bodian. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to help advance the hemp beverage industry in a responsible, inclusive, and compliant manner.”
Founded in 2023, the Hemp Beverage Alliance is an association of over 140 brands, distributors, supply chain partners, professional service providers, associations and retailers, all working together to create a hemp beverage marketplace that is safe, transparent, and provides consumers with the highest quality products.
The Hemp Beverage Alliance will be at the Wine & Spirit Wholesalers Association Access Live trade show January 29 - February 1 in Las Vegas.
ABOUT
The mission of the Hemp Beverage Alliance is to create a safe and thriving industry through education, advocacy, best practices and partnership. We achieve this mission by providing consumers, retailers, and distributors with the information they need to better understand the industry; developing best practices to create consistency in labeling and manufacturing; working with elected officials and regulators to encourage common-sense regulation; and collaborating with cannabis and alcohol industries to create a marketplace that benefits everyone. More at hempbeveragealliance.org.
Hemp Beverage Alliance in WeedWeek
The Hemp Beverage Alliance believes marijuana and hemp industries can do more than just co-exist. They actually help each other thrive by normalizing the plant, introducing new customers, and furthering innovation. From WeedWeek:
Hemp and cannabis drinks also seem to have recognized a tacit division of the market: Hemp gets the low-dose “sessionable” drinks, and weed takes the higher potency products better suited for dispensaries.
Read all about the need to #UniteThePlant in WeedWeek. (subscription required).
Statement on New York legal action
The Hemp Beverage Alliance issued the following statement from Christopher Lackner, executive director:
”The Hemp Beverage Alliance applauds the recent legal decision that allows hemp products back onto the shelves of New York stores. This decision will come as a tremendous relief to thousands of New York small businesses, as well as their customers who have made these products part of their daily routine.
"The Hemp Beverage Alliance looks forward to working with OCM and other stakeholders to create a sensibly regulated marketplace that emphasizes safety, protects children, and provides consumers with the products they want."
News about the court’s decision can be found at BevNet and Law360.
Click here to read the court’s decision.
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.