Hemp Beverage Alliance Board Candidate: Brandon Pollock of Theory Wellness
HBA will elect three members to the board of directors in June. Each candidate has been invited to post information about their candidacy for voters to review.
My experience of founding Theory Wellness, which is the country’s largest employee-owned cannabis company, will be helpful in supporting the HBA in navigating this dynamic time. I have the bandwidth to dig into issues as needed, as well as six years of experience on the Board of the marijuana trade group in Massachusetts. While over the last ten years Theory had been focused on marijuana markets, we launched our Hi5 beverage brand in 2025 via the hemp channel and have been producing THC beverages since 2021.
I am running for the board of the HBA as our collective product lines face several inflection points, all of which will need engagement with a variety of stakeholders to reach satisfactory compromises for our brands. Areas that will require attention include:
• State by state hand to hand combat relating to restrictions and regulations of hemp derived THC products – importantly this takes working with other hemp trade groups + marijuana trade groups to reach consensus with lawmakers
• Collaboration with, and education, of alcohol wholesalers, balancing their support without reducing the long-term viability of the DTC channel
• Federal – HBA can and should take a leadership role relating to the next iteration(s) of the farm bill (or other applicable legislation and regulation)
• Promoting responsible business practices especially as it relates to navigating on-premises sales, to reduce the risk of negative headlines that could hamper the growth of the category
While I have only been a member of the HBA for 6 months, I have already helped put together a coalition in Massachusetts that has introduced legislation to permit hemp beverages here. I look forward to the opportunity to help create a stable and sustainable environment where all brands have a chance to win and would welcome anyone who wishes to discuss this further!
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