HEMP BEVERAGE INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO THRIVE DESPITE CONGRESSIONAL SETBACK
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA), the trade association for the hemp beverage industry with more than 375 member organizations, remains fully confident in the future of the industry, despite this week’s setback in Congress.
”For distributors, retailers and consumers who are wondering, the answer is simple: Hemp beverages continue to be a thriving category,” said Christopher Lackner, president, Hemp Beverage Alliance. “For people who want to produce, distribute, sell or enjoy hemp beverages, nothing changed this week, nothing will change next week, and nothing will change next month, or even next year.
”The only thing that has changed is now there is an even greater interest in creating a federal framework for hemp beverages.”
This week, Congress voted to open the government. Contained within that package was language to destroy the hemp industry without public discussion or congressional debate.
“This week’s vote to open the federal government was just that: a vote to open the government. Unfortunately, the hemp beverage industry was a victim in that bill package,” said Lackner,. ”If there is a silver lining to this terrible decision, it is that the long-term future of the hemp industry is now front and center with Congress.”
HBA 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. These principles can be found on the trade association’s website: hempbeveragealliance.org/principles.
Hemp beverages are seltzers, sodas, mocktails, coffees, teas, and other non-alcoholic drinks that contain a small infusion of hemp-derived cannabinoids. Since hemp was legalized in the 2018 Farm Bill, states like Minnesota, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee and others have developed regulatory frameworks to create a safe and thriving industry.
“Hemp beverages are the fastest growing adult beverage category in the country right now," said Lackner. "Our industry is creating jobs and tax revenues at a time when both are in great demand. We understand Congress was in a tough decision to vote against the thousands of people who are employed in this sector, which is why we are hopeful that they will reconvene very soon and create regulations that allow our category to thrive.”
About the Hemp Beverage Alliance
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 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.
