HEMP BEVERAGE ALLIANCE COMMENTS TO ALABAMA ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL BOARD (AABCB)
HBA today submitted comments to the AABCB in response to their request for input regarding Proposed Rules – New Rule 20-X-6-.24; New Rule 20-X-36; Amended Rule 20-X-5-.13.
HBA members are encouraged to use this letter as a template for their own public comments.
Read HBA’s comments here. Public comments are due February 4.
HEMP BEVERAGE ALLIANCE SUBMITS COMMENTS ON NEWLY PROPOSED RULES IN TEXAS
Today HBA submitted comments to the Texas Health and Human Service Commission in response to their request for public comments on a series of rules regarding the hemp beverage industry.
CLICK HERE TO READ HBA’S COMMENTS.
This rulemaking implements Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 443 and responds to Executive Order GA-56, which directs DSHS to prohibit sales to minors, add age verification requirements, update testing requirements, and update record keeping requirements.
HBA supports these objectives and submitted targeted recommendations designed to strengthen enforceability, preserve participation in the regulated market, and reduce avoidable disputes in field enforcement. HBA recommendations include:
Fees. Retain the current fee schedule in this rulemaking. Proposed fee levels have outsized impacts on smaller operators ill-equipped to absorb abrupt annual cost disruptions and reduce the regulated footprint needed for inspection-based enforcement. In the alternative, if any increase is adopted, phase it in and cap multi-location exposure.
Inspections and entry. Narrow written consent requirements to lawful administrative inspection authority and remove property-owner consent as a condition for tenant applicants.
COA access and labeling mechanics. Preserve consumer access to COAs while allowing workable packaging options, including QR codes as an alternative to a printed URL, tied to batch identification.
Testing governance. Maintain predictable compliance expectations through analyte-list version control, defined effective dates, timely notice with minimum contents, and a confirmatory pathway before escalation beyond stop-sale or quarantine.
Transport restriction scope. Refine the inbound transport restriction for ingredients to avoid unintended supply-chain disruption while maintaining diversion controls and finished-product compliance.
Enforcement standards. Use objective conduct standards for inspection interference and remove subjective speech-based triggers that invite inconsistent enforcement outcomes.
Implementation timing. Phase in administrative mechanics requiring build time, while preserving immediate enforcement of age restrictions and safety-based prohibitions.
HEMP BEVERAGE ALLIANCE IN SHANKEN NEWS DAILY
The Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA), composed of leading hemp THC players across the U.S., is backing the Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act in order to save the industry, which has been imperiled by the U.S. government’s new definition for commercial hemp. The bill, introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, would create a legal market with testing requirements, age restrictions, and other regulations that are broadly supported within the hemp THC industry. HBA members include leading hemp THC brands like Cycling Frog, Cann, Wynk, and Upstate Elevator, among many others.
Read the newsletter here.
HEMP BEVERAGE ALLIANCE HELPS EXTEND TESTING AND LICENSING FLEXIBILITY IN MINNESOTA
The Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management recently issued an updated licensing and testing notice for lower-potency hemp edibles, including hemp beverages, along with revisions to Guidance Memo 2025-03. The update reflects a practical implementation approach that HBA advocated for through written comment and direct, personal engagement with OCM leadership.
The agency recognized that testing infrastructure remains in build-out mode and confirmed that existing hemp businesses can continue operating under Minn. Stat. § 151.72 past January 1, 2026, including continued use of out-of-state testing laboratories. The agency will now wait until March 31, 2026 to issue licenses to hemp manufacturers and wholesalers. OCM also confirmed that compliant products do not need to be pulled from shelves during the transition.
HBA appreciates the Minnesota operators who documented the real-world bottlenecks and stayed constructive in their advocacy. We will continue engaging the Office and policymakers on the remaining statutory issues OCM flagged for legislative consideration.
Click here to read our comments to OCM
HEMP BEVERAGE ALLIANCE IN INDUSTRY NEWS UPDATE
INU covered our support for Sen. Wyden and Sen. Merkley’s bill. Read the whole thing here.
HEMP BEVERAGE ALLIANCE SUPPORTS NEW FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO REGULATE HEMP INDUSTRY
The Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA) voiced its support for Cannabinoid Safety and Regulation Act (CSRA) introduced today by U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to establish regulations for hemp beverages across the country.
The following statement can be attributed to Christopher Lackner, president, Hemp Beverage Alliance:
“The Hemp Beverage Alliance applauds senators Wyden and Merkley for championing sensible regulations that keep products away from children, provide robust product testing and transparent packaging information, and provide a pathway for the hemp beverage industry to continue to thrive.”
“Since our founding in 2023, the HBA has advocated for testing, proper labeling, sensible THC milligram levels, and age-gating of products. We look forward to working with congressional lawmakers to promote this legislation and ensure a thriving hemp beverage category in 2026 and beyond.”
“Hemp beverages are incredibly popular with adult consumers who are seeking additional beverage choices. This legislation allows them to continue to enjoy these beverages, while creating a safe, transparent and thriving category.”
Read the bill text here. A one-page summary of the bill is here. A section-by-section breakdown of the bill is here.
The Hemp Beverage Alliance supports regulatory principles that set sensible limits for THC content, keep products away from children, provide robust product testing, and create tax revenues for the public benefit.
Get involved in advocacy!
Hemp Beverage Alliance members are strongly encouraged to start building relationships with their representatives in Congress. Please click on the link below to learn how you can get involved.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR TEXAS
The Hemp Beverage Alliance submitted comments to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and voiced concern about severity of the sanctions for violations of their proposed hemp beverage regulations.
The HBA urged the Commission to make a limited revision that allows civil penalties in lieu of license suspension or cancellation, but supported cancellation or multi-year ineligibility for repeated or egregious conduct.
Read the full comments here.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FOR MINNESOTA
The Hemp Beverage Alliance submitted comments to the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management urging a temporary 120-day implementation allowance to permit manufacturers to use any accredited registered laboratory while Minnesota-licensed facilities complete method validation and expand capacity.
Read the full letter here.
HEMP BEVERAGE ALLIANCE JOINS CRAFT BEER & BREWING PODCAST TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HEMP BEVERAGES
The Hemp Beverage Alliance spoke with the Craft Beer & Brewing podcast this week and talked about the challenges the industry is facing in this very uncertain regulatory climate. The hemp beverage industry is “a brand new thing and it still has captured the imagination and the consumer dollars of millions of adults,” said HBA President Christopher Lackner. “So what’s at risk is not what the size of the category now, but what the category could be in two years, five years and in ten years. The stakes are very very high.”
Listen to the full episode of the Craft Beer & Brewing Podcast.