Hemp Beverage Alliance welcomes three new board members
DENVER - The Hemp Beverage Alliance, the trade association for the hemp beverage industry with 375 members in the U.S. and Canada, today announced three new members to the Board of Directors.
Jim Higdon, co-founder and chief communications officer for Cornbread; David Thomas, chief strategy officer for Delta Beverages; and Natalie Boos, head of business development and operations for Habit, were elected by the HBA membership in July.
“The Hemp Beverage Alliance is leading the charge for smart regulation of the hemp beverage category,” said Jim Higdon, Cornbread. “Hemp is good for farmers, seniors, veterans and responsible adults who want something new. But we should never forget that public health is our number one priority as we build this category together.”
The Hemp Beverage Alliance supports regulatory principles that protect public health and keep products away from children.
"As the father of a college-bound teenager, I have a personal stake in getting this right. That means clear labels, tested products, and a market built for adults, not marketed to kids," said David Thomas, Delta Beverages. "I'm honored to join the HBA board and other responsible players in championing smart, responsible regulation at the federal level."
Click here to view the Hemp Beverage Alliance’s regulatory principles.
The hemp industry as a whole is currently valued at $29 billion. HBA recently released an industry data report that showed 133% growth in the category. With a federal framework in place, that growth is expected to accelerate.
“Two years ago, hemp beverages were still a curiosity. Today they're on shelves across the country, in the hands of adults who choose them over alcohol. This industry doesn't need a loophole, it needs a framework,” said Natalie Boos, Habit. “My focus on this board is standards that protect consumers and give operators the certainty to invest, hire, and grow. It's an honor to be trusted with that fight.”
The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act (commonly known as the “Farm Bill”) helped create a thriving hemp beverage category that continues to grow at an astounding rate. Although 28 states currently regulate hemp beverages, Congress passed a law in November 2025 that would eliminate the entire hemp industry.
Recently, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) that includes a one-month delay in the prohibition of the hemp industry, creating a new deadline of December 11. Stakeholders are urging Congress to use this extension to pass a regulatory framework that protects public health and allows the category to grow.
The ban on synthetic cannabinoids remains in place and will go into effect on November 12.
