Reps. Van Duyne, Landsman introduce new legislation to regulate hemp beverage industry
DENVER - The Hemp Beverage Alliance, the trade association for the hemp beverage industry with 375 members in the U.S. and Canada, today expressed support for the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act, a bill to regulate the category via the existing alcohol regulatory system.
The bipartisan bill was introduced by Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) two days after the Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR) to delay the pending hemp ban by one month.
"The Hemp Beverage Alliance strongly believes the beverage category should be regulated like alcohol. This legislation does exactly that,” said Christopher Lackner, founder and president, Hemp Beverage Alliance. “We look forward to working with Representative Van Duyne and Representative Landsman to pass this legislation this year.”
The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act includes provisions to ensure proper labeling and testing standards. It establishes marketing and advertising parameters and requires that hemp beverages contain only naturally derived cannabinoids.
Most importantly, hemp beverages can only be sold and consumed by adults age 21 or older.
“I’ve heard directly from people across North Texas who consume hemp-derived beverages, and businesses who sell them, that they need clarity, not a ban that pushes this market underground,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act brings long-overdue certainty to the industry by regulating these beverages with the same proven structure that has successfully governed alcohol for decades.
“I am glad to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Rep. Greg Landsman, because American families and responsible businesses deserve structure and sensible regulations that protect children while allowing adults to choose beverages they prefer.”
The bill is specific to the regulation of hemp beverages and can be a complement to other legislation that addresses other hemp products.
Click here to download a copy of the Act.
The alcohol regulatory system is based on a three-tier system where suppliers, distributors and retailers each play significant, individual roles to protect public health and support competition. According to a 2025 report, by the Center for Alcohol Policy, four in five Americans agree the three-tier system well serves consumers and the marketplace.
The hemp beverage industry has been a boon to economies throughout the country. Craft brewers, wine & spirits distributors, liquor retailers and others have embraced the new category as sales of their legacy products continue to decline. In addition, states with regulatory frameworks are gathering significant tax revenue for the public benefit.
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.
Click here to download the Hemp Beverage Alliance data report.
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.
On August 8, 2026, the Senate passed legislation to delay the hemp prohibition to December 11. The House of Representatives still needs to vote on the bill.
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.
