For the first time, a leading industry association in the alcohol sector has welcomed a beverage company producing THC-infused beverages to its ranks.
Cannabuzz, a Kentucky-based manufacturer of hemp-derived THC beverages, is now an associate member of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), the company announced in a press release last week.
“We’re proud to be the first THC brand to join WSWA’s THC beverage category,” Annie Rouse, Cannabuzz CEO & Founder, said in a press release. “We are looking forward to providing our expertise and collaborating with this organization to help grow an accessible and safe market.
The company stated that being a member of WSWA would give Cannabuzz access to “distributor expertise, best practice frameworks and engagement with policy as the cannabis sector matures.”
“Our goal isn’t just to sell drinks—it’s to help retailers, distributors, and regulators align on simple guardrails that protect consumers and give stores confidence to stock the category,” Rouse said. We believe that standardized packaging, serving size and age restrictions will be the future of adult cannabis drinks. Joining the beverage alcohol industry’s largest trade group will help develop responsible standards for THC derived from hemp. [ready-to-drink beverages].”
WSWA’s staff declined to comment on this article, despite the fact that the website of the organization confirms Cannabuzz’s membership as an associate member.
In June, the association called for Congress to rewrite language that was included in the House Spending Bill which would have banned most hemp-derived products. Instead of this ban, the association proposed to keep the cannabinoids naturally extracted from the plant legal and to only restrict synthetics.
Members of WSWA also met with lawmakers and staffers in April to advocate for three key policy priorities that the group says is based on “sound principles of alcohol distribution.” The group also met with lawmakers and staffers in April to advocate for three key policy priorities that are based on “sound principles of alcohol distribution.”
In an op/ed published in June by MEDCAN24, WSWA CEO Francis Creighton echoed the point. The organization reiterated its position that prohibition is not better than regulation.
This is also consistent with WSWA’s earlier message to House and Senate Agriculture Committee last session, where the association implored congressional leaders to create a regulatory framework for hemp-based intoxicating cannabinoids—rather than impose an outright ban.
—
MEDCAN24 tracks hundreds of marijuana, psychedelics, and drug policy legislation in state legislatures this year. Patreon subscribers who donate at least $25/month have access to the interactive maps and charts as well as our hearing calendar.
Find out more about our marijuana law tracker. To gain access, become a Patreon supporter.
—
In the meantime, bipartisan House legislators recently rejected attempts to ban hemp THC, saying that this would “deal an irreparable blow” to industry. Also, they argued, it violates rules of congress, since currently, such legislation is included as part of a budget bill. Members of Congress have announced that they are working on a plan to introduce another measure to control the market.
While the Senate ultimately stripped similar language from its version of the agriculture spending measure following a procedural protest from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), there’s still concern among stakeholders that it could wind up in the final package delivered to the president following bicameral negotiations.
A group of Kentucky hemp growers also recently asked Sen. Mitch McConnell, the senior U.S. Senator from Kentucky to reconsider his plans to recriminalize products made from their plants.
Paul, for his part, recently cautioned that the cannabis policy movement has “swung hard on the prohibitionist side” amid the ongoing debate over intoxicating hemp products. He is concerned that the hemp industry could collapse “within two weeks” if the situation does not improve.
Paul responded that “we worked diligently” to find a solution with his staff.
MEDCAN24 could not exist without readers’ support. Consider a Patreon subscription if our marijuana advocacy journalism is what you use to keep informed.
