POLITICO’s Post

Ever wondered how THC drinks are legal? 🍹 The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp-derived THC beverages possible under specific regulations. Our guide covers the federal and state laws, including those in Florida, Iowa, and Wisconsin, to help you navigate this growing market. Stay informed about the legal landscape of THC drinks! Read the full guide here: https://lnkd.in/g3GRSYvm #THCDrinks #CannabisBeverages #LegalGuide #HempIndustry #Compliance

Have you signed this petition yet? Days like 820 don't happen if these products are banned, but most importantly - the people don't get the products they need to live the lives they want. Stop the NY Ban on Hemp products. Let's KISS and regulate these products just like any other functional product and add an age gate. Regulation is only bad when it's done poorly. #KISS #freedom #hemp #petition #newyork #newyorkhemp #hempd9 #beverages #beverageindustry #drinkcannabis #drinkitin Cannabis Beverage Association Hemp Beverage Alliance SōRSE Technology

"#Cannabisdispensaries in #California won’t be able to convert their businesses into cafes where they can sell food and host live concerts anytime soon. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Sunday that would have legalized #Amsterdam-style cafes in the state and provided the cannabis industry an opportunity to host customers in a more inviting lounge setting. Although it’s technically not illegal for customers to consume cannabis at a dispensary, it is illegal for a dispensary to sell non-cannabis products such as coffee or food. Assembly Bill 374, referred to as the #CannabisCafe Bill, wouldn’t have cleared the way for dispensaries to serve alcohol, but it would have allowed them to move away from a pharmacy-like business model. In vetoing the bill, Newsom cited California’s long-standing smoke-free workplace protections. “Protecting the health and safety of workers is paramount,” Newsom wrote in his veto message. “I encourage the author to address this concern in subsequent legislation.” The American Cancer Society’s nonpartisan advocacy group applauded Newsom’s decision. “We commend Governor Newsom for prioritizing public health and protecting Californians’ right to breathe clean, smoke-free air,” Jim Knox, managing director of the society‘s #Cancer Action Network in California, said in a statement. “The cancer-causing substances found in marijuana smoke pose numerous health hazards to the individual using and others in their presence. Additionally, secondhand marijuana smoke can pass #THC, exposing non-users to its psychoactive effects.” - Los Angeles Times

Somewhat expectedly, Governor Lamont signed HB5150, which will usher in some pretty massive changes for the hemp/ infused beverage industry in the Constitution State. Amongst other things, the bill imposes: licensing requirements for beverage manufacturers and retailers; labeling requirements and advertising restrictions on infused beverages, bans on direct-to-consumer sales; bans on certain types of additives (including caffeine I believe); dosage limitations and packaging size limitations. Oh yea, and of course it imposes new taxes. If you are a hemp or infused beverage producer, and need help navigating the new law in CT, let me know. Saul Ewing LLP #hemp #hempindustry #infusedbeverages #cannabis #cannabislaw

High-Risk Issue Alert: Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices (UDAP) Considerations for Commercial Cannabis Banking In the ever-evolving world of commercial cannabis, staying on top of regulatory compliance and consumer protection is paramount. As risk managers, we must be vigilant about Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act, also known as UDAP, which strictly prohibits engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices that could harm consumers. 🚨 The FTC has been actively taking action against companies involved in misleading or harmful practices, ensuring consumer well-being and promoting fair competition. Recent cease and desist letters sent jointly with the FDA to companies selling edible products containing Delta-8 THC in packaging resembling children's snacks serve as a wake-up call for the cannabis industry. 💡 Key Risk Factor: UDAP risks include acts causing substantial harm to consumers, being unavoidable, and lacking countervailing benefits. Deceptive practices mislead consumers, appear reasonable, and are material. 🔍 Red Flags to Watch: Commercial Cannabis Businesses that do not understand their UDAP risk or have products or THC products that can be easily mistaken by children for regular food. ✅ Risk Mitigation Strategies: To fortify your risk management approach, consider whether your commercial cannabis businesses enhance their risk assessment to account for UDAP risks. 📚 Read the FTC’s press release, https://lnkd.in/gdHpHTKF. 📚 ACCCE members can access the ACCCE UDAP risk issue summary for in-depth details on how to elevate your customers’ risk program and safeguard your business, https://lnkd.in/gGPqkHGk. 🔍 At ACCCE, we are committed to empowering our members with the latest insights and best practices in navigating the complex landscape of Cannabis Banking risk management. https://lnkd.in/g2ugZS5 #CommercialCannabis #RiskManagement #UDAP #ConsumerProtection #ACCCE #CannabisIndustry #ProfessionalDevelopment #cannabisbanking #Cannabiscompliance #AMLTraining #cannabisriskmanagement

The attached article by Gino Fanelli is about a small business owner in New York named James Hilbert. His One Stop Brew Shop has garnered a loyal following for its curated selection of quality beers and THC-infused seltzers and sodas, legally derived from hemp under federal law. There was an abrupt turn when the New York State Cannabis Control Board recently enacted an emergency regulations which severely restricts sales of the THC drinks. Hilbert already had a Cannabinoid Hemp Retail License, and he received no prior indication of the impending ban. That such a ban can take place in New York when Minnesota is so clearly thriving from its somewhat limited and mostly sensible hemp regulations is quite concerning, In addition, the lack of communication and the sudden imposition of burdensome restrictions demonstrates a fairly high level of incompetence. This is detrimental to businesses. Without clear communication and without a reasonable opportunity to debate and adapt, large and small enterprises are left vulnerable to the capricious whims of regulatory bodies. In an era where transparency and predictability in governance are paramount, such disregard for due process undermines the foundation of a fair and thriving economic landscape. https://lnkd.in/gqEH_pWp

This article, along with Eric Postow, Esq.'s remarks, casts a much-needed spotlight on the challenges in the hemp beverage and cannabis industry. The language and terminology we employ to communicate are crucial, and it is time to hold individuals accountable for using language that lacks precision. #Cannabis #CannabisLaw #MJLaw #HLPCannabis #hempbeverages

What did the Minnesota government expect with such a terribly written bill? In concept, the bill seems fantastic to the Lehmans eye. THC Beverage allowed in liquor stores is a win. Allowing people convicted for cannabis to get out of jail is a win. Multiple marijuana license structures is ridiculous and confusing. Whats really happening in Minnesota? - We don’t have a director yet for the OCM - The inspectors have not received proper training and tools to do their job correctly. All inspectors but one have a background in cannabis. - Misinformation throughout the MDH department. Every enforcement agent is saying something different on what is legal and illegal. The department is not uniformed. - The state is picking on hemp businesses for tinctures, different forms of edibles, even for having milk in a product, and for many different issues. (How is milk ingredients a safety issue?) The state is more focused on correcting minor infractions than going after shops that have products well over the package milligram limits for edibles. This is going to put many small businesses in Minnesota out of business. The Minnesota state is full of 100mg THC edibles found at smoke shops. Why are they not focusing on these businesses? The Minnesota state is not inspecting hemp edible manufacturers and that is an issue.A major public safety issue because of potential food safety issues. Instead they focus if a label has a minor infraction. Example: We had 3rd party product pulled from my stores because of a QR code scanning issue. $10,000 fine if not fixed. Luckily this beverage company is large enough to reprint labels and provide a credit. A start up would crash and burn. Minnesota Nice - I don’t think so #hempindustry #hemp #hempnews #mnleg #minnesota

April Rubin could you please try a little harder to not gaslight? Give me a break. Please check your incendiary word count, we’re nearing wild fire season. Look, this was not a mistake, or unintentional, or cluelessness. These beverages are not “laced” with thc as if this is some back alley shady dealing… can you be any more antiquated? Is there pcp in the can as well?? This non-alcoholic beverage segment is the fastest growing beverage segment across all. Consumers are becoming more informed and aware of the alternative beverage category, and guess what? They are making adult decisions to consume the beverage. Why?? Go ask them. The regulated thc infused hemp beverage market is asking to be regulated like alcohol. Reasonable regulations that account for transparency, and ultimately consumer safety, are welcome. Low dosing meaning up to 10mg is demonstrating to be a reasonable point of entry for non-traditional cannabinoid consumers. It’s not a war. This is not a fight it out and beat each other into submission. This is a grownups game and as such reasonable minds can figure it out. Are there passionate voices with different perspectives? Duh. So what? This is America. Please do better in your future covering of this emerging market space. #hempbeverage #hempindustry Holon Law Partners #cannabiscommunity #nonalc https://lnkd.in/eacf9MYx

The THC infused hemp beverage space is fast evolving and certainly not immune from political challenges. However, the regulated industry stakeholders who make up this in demand category also want reasonable regulations. Holon's Eric Postow, Esq. stirred things up recently with his take on a recent article addressing the ways in which the industry is described in media. For questions on entering the regulated hemp beverage space reach out to our team at info@holonlaw.com #thcinfused #hempbeverages #industrialhemp #farmbill #hempproducts #hempindustry #cannabiscommunity #cannabislaw