Connect with us

featured

Major Alcohol Industry Group Pushes Congress To Dial Back Proposed Hemp Product Ban

Published

on


A leading alcohol industry association is calling on Congress to dial back language in a House committee-approved spending bill that would ban most consumable hemp products, instead proposing to maintain the legalization of naturally derived cannabinoids from the crop and only prohibit synthetic items.

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), which has backed federally legalizing marijuana and regulating hemp products, said on Friday that it generally supports the effort to ban synthetic cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC that have proliferated since the federal legalization of hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill.

But the hemp provision of the spending bill that cleared the the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies on Thursday is a bridge too far, the association said.

“WSWA supports the subcommittee’s action to eliminate synthetic, unnatural cannabinoids that are a threat to public health and safety,” WSWA President and CEO Francis Creighton said in a press release. “But prohibition of all cannabinoids is not the answer—it risks sweeping up state regulated and Farm Bill compliant hemp-derived products that have driven a new and dynamic market.”

“Under attempted complete prohibition, bad actors dealing in potentially harmful products will continue to operate and thrive in the shadows, while state regulatory structures that protect public safety will be put in conflict with Federal law,” Creighton said.

WSWA put forward a policy recommendations for lawmakers to consider—namely removing the a provision redefining hemp in a way that’d prohibit products with any quantifiable amount of THC so that the federal government could instead “preserve state authority, protect compliant businesses, and ensure clarity for consumers and regulators.”

The consumable hemp product crackdown isn’t exclusive to the federal government, as multiple states—from California to Florida to Texas—have moved to ban intoxicating cannabinoids in recent months.

“States have stepped up to fill the regulatory vacuum, and Congress must be careful not to undermine their progress,” Creighton said.

Shawn Lederman of the Florida-based Greenlight Distribution said the company has “invested in jobs, infrastructure, and compliance to bring accountability to this space—efforts that would be wiped out overnight, handing the market to unregulated bad actors. We urge Congress to respect our business and citizens. A total ban would be devastating.”

John Giarrante, president of Show Me Beverages in Missouri, said the committee’s “proposal to ban naturally occurring hemp-derived products like Delta-9 will undermine the legitimate and responsible work we’ve done to meet consumer demand while prioritizing public health and safety.”

“We’ve built a compliant, transparent business to bring structure and legitimacy to this fast-growing market,” he said. “This action would not only undo that progress but also have a harmful economic impact—putting jobs at risk and handing the entire category over to unlicensed, unregulated actors with no regard for safety or accountability.”

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.” They include banning synthetic THC, setting up a federal system for testing and labeling products and establishing state-level power to regulate retail sales.

In an op-ed for Marijuana Moment this month, Creighton echoed that point, reiterating the organization’s position that regulation is superior to prohibition.

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.

Meanwhile, key GOP congressional lawmakers—including one member who supports marijuana legalization—don’t seem especially concerned about provisions in a new spending bill that would put much of the hemp industry in jeopardy by banning most consumable products derived from the plant.

Under the measure that’s being contested, hemp would be redefined under federal statute in a way that would prohibit cannabis products containing any “quantifiable” amount of THC or “any other cannabinoids that have similar effects (or are marketed to have similar effects) on humans or animals” as THC.

The provisions in the bill now heading to a full committee vote would effectively eliminate the most commonly marketed hemp products within the industry, as even non-intoxicating CBD items that are sold across the country typically contain trace amounts of THC. Under current law, those products are allowed if they contain no more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight.

Hemp industry stakeholders rallied against that proposal, an earlier version of which was also included in the base bill from the subcommittee last year. It’s virtually identical to a provision of the 2024 Farm Bill that was attached by a separate committee last May via an amendment from Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL), which was also not enacted into law.


Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.


Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.

Jonathan Miller, general counsel of the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, told congressional lawmakers in April that the market is “begging” for federal regulations around cannabis products.

At the hearing, Rep. James Comer (R-KY) also inquired about FDA inaction around regulations, sarcastically asking if it’d require “a gazillion bureaucrats that work from home” to regulate cannabinoids such as CBD.

A report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) last year called cannabis a “significant threat” to the alcohol industry, citing survey data that suggests more people are using cannabis as a substitute for alcoholic beverages such a beer and wine.

Last November, meanwhile, a beer industry trade group put out a statement of guiding principles to address what it called “the proliferation of largely unregulated intoxicating hemp and cannabis products,” warning of risks to consumers and communities resulting from THC consumption.

New Hampshire House Advances Bills To Reduce Psilocybin Penalties And Legalize Medical Marijuana Homegrow By Patients

Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Become a patron at Patreon!





Source link

mscannabiz.com
Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

featured

Marijuana Users Are Nearly 5 Times As Likely To Regularly Exercise Than Eat Fast Food, Stereotype-Busting Survey Shows

Published

on


Marijuana consumers are more than three times more likely to regularly exercise than drink alcohol—and they’re nearly five times more likely to routinely work out than eat fast food—according to another stereotype-defying survey.

The poll from the cannabis telehealth platform NuggMD looked at the habits of cannabis users, who were asked about the frequency they engage in seven different activities—from alcohol consumption to movie theater attendance.

One of the takeaways was that marijuana consumers reported regularly engaging in exercise (27.4 percent daily and 34.9 percent multiple times per week) significantly more often than using alcohol (6.1 percent daily and 11.3 percent multiple times per week).

Another finding from the survey was that cannabis consumers are 4.8 times more likely to regularly exercise than to eat fast food (1.5 percent daily and 11.5 percent multiple times per week).

“This finding is yet more evidence that today’s cannabis consumers defy the prohibitionist stereotype of layabouts munching Doritos and then crossfading with booze to get their fix,” Andrew Graham, head of communications at NuggMD, told Marijuana Moment.

“The data shows that cannabis consumers self-report several healthy lifestyle habits. When compared with federal data on exercise and fast food consumption, our poll shows that cannabis consumers are in fact more likely to exercise and less likely to eat fast food than the average U.S. adult,” he said. “Previous polling we’ve done shows cannabis has a distinct replacement effect on alcohol use, and this poll charts a similar direction.”

“For millions of wellness-focused Americans, cannabis is simply part of the routine. It’s kind of mind-blowing how wrong the prohibitionist crowd is about everything,” Graham said.

Several other studies have similarly found that cannabis users exercise at average or above-average levels compared to non-users, bucking the long-held stigma that marijuana makes people lazy. This is one of the latest data points to show the same.

Notably, the new poll also found that relatively few marijuana consumers frequently use food delivery services, with just 3.3 percent reporting that they order delivery daily and 8.3 percent saying they use such services multiple times a week.

Via NuggMD.

In contrast, 69.5 percent of respondents said they drink coffee regularly. Only 4.5 percent said they often visit movie theaters. And 64.8 percent said they routinely take nutritional supplements.

The survey from NuggMD involved interviews with 603 cannabis consumers, with a +/- 4 percentage point margin of error.

Meanwhile, last year a study found that marijuana consumption prior to exercise can lead to greater enjoyment and an enhanced “runner’s high.”

Another study published in 2023 surveyed 49 runners and found that participants experienced “less negative affect, greater feelings of positive affect, tranquility, enjoyment, and dissociation, and more runner’s high symptoms during their cannabis (vs. non-cannabis) runs.” Participants did run 31 seconds slower per mile when using marijuana, but researchers said that was not statistically significant.

The positive effects of cannabis that the runners reported is consistent with the findings of a 2019 study, which found that people who use marijuana to elevate their workout tend to get a healthier amount of exercise.

Older people who consume cannabis are also more likely to engage in physical activity, according to another study that was published in 2020.

Similarly, in another stereotype-busting study that was published in 2021, researchers found that frequent marijuana consumers are actually more likely to be physically active compared to their non-using counterparts.

Marijuana Dispensary Offers Free Joints For Pics Of Bigfoot Following Local Sighting

Marijuana Moment is made possible with support from readers. If you rely on our cannabis advocacy journalism to stay informed, please consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Become a patron at Patreon!





Source link

mscannabiz.com
Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

Continue Reading

featured

Alcohol And Cannabis Consumer Behavior Evolving

Published

on


Their is a new wave of behavior around drinking in public which could have a major impact on the alcohol and cannabis industry.

In bars across the country, a subtle shift is underway: younger patrons, especially Gen Z and Zillennials, are increasingly saying no thanks to opening a tab. It’s not about being antisocial—it’s about financial control, digital habits, and a shifting relationship with nightlife. The younger generation is increasingly turning away from alcohol. A portion are favoring marijuana for relaxation and socializing. Health consciousness, mental wellness, and shifting cultural norms drive this trend. 

RELATED: Mixed Messages From The Feds About Cannabis

Unlike older generations who were more comfortable running a tab and settling up at the end of the night, Gen Z and Zillennials are hyper-aware of where their money is going in real-time. Growing up in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and amid rising costs of living, this generation approaches spending with caution. Mobile banking, budgeting apps, and real-time transaction alerts have made them more vigilant. Opening a bar tab? That’s an invitation to overspend.

Changing Jobs And Thinking Of Cannabis

There’s also the trust factor. Horror stories of mystery charges, lost credit cards, or bars adding gratuities without consent have circulated widely on TikTok and Reddit. Many in this demographic prefer to pay per drink or use digital wallets like Apple Pay or Venmo, minimizing risk and maximizing transparency.

Technology plays a role too. While bar tabs require handing over a physical credit card—something that feels outdated to a smartphone-native generation—Gen Z prefers the immediacy and security of tapping a phone or using a QR code. Bars that still rely on old-school POS systems may seem out of step.

RELATED: Cannabis Is Way Better And Safer Than A Honey Pack

Culturally, going out doesn’t necessarily mean bingeing at a bar anymore. Many younger adults are opting for sober-curious lifestyles or limiting alcohol consumption, and when they do drink, they prefer to keep things low-key and affordable. Also, they see xannabis is seen as a safer, more mindful alternative, aligning with their preference for personalized, low-risk experiences over traditional, high-impact substances like alcohol.

For bar owners, this trend is a wake-up call. Offering easy, transparent, and tech-forward payment options—like mobile ordering and contactless checkout—can help retain Gen Z patrons. Those who resist these shifts risk alienating a generation that values financial autonomy over tradition.

The bottom line? For Gen Z and Zillennials, closing out a tab one drink at a time isn’t just practical—it’s personal.



Source link

mscannabiz.com
Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

Continue Reading

featured

Ohio Raises Cannabis Purchasing Limit

Published

on


Cannabis shoppers in Ohio can now purchase up to two and a half ounces of cannabis flower from licensed dispensaries under a rule change announced last week by the Division of Cannabis Control (DCC).

Previously, cannabis purchases were capped at a single ounce for flower to prevent product shortages during the adult-use industry’s launch last year.

“Since non-medical cannabis sales began in August 2024, the market has demonstrated the ability to support both medical marijuana patients and non-medical consumers alike,” the agency wrote in a guidance published last week.

The rule change took effect immediately on Wednesday, but while the purchasing limits for cannabis flower products have increased, the regulations on other cannabis products remain unchanged. Outside of cannabis flower, Ohio state law sets a 15,000mb total THC cap on adult-use cannabis purchases — dispensaries are expected to honor the limit by tallying up the total THC content being bought by consumers, including cannabis concentrates, edibles, beverages, and vaporizers.

Licensed cannabis dispensaries in Ohio conducted nearly $400 million in adult-use sales during the first seven months of the legal market.

In March, lawmakers were accused of withholding more than $10 million in adult-use cannabis tax revenue that was supposed to be earmarked for local governments that had opted to allow cannabis businesses.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have more recently been pushing to scale back the state’s voter-approved cannabis legalization law through at least two different proposals: one to cap THC limits in cannabis concentrates and impose other limits that were left out of the voter-approved bill, and one to cut back on the number of home grow plants allowed under state law.

Get daily cannabis business news updates. Subscribe







Have an additional perspective to share? Send us a message to let us know, and if your comment is chosen by our editors it could be featured here.









Ganjapreneur is made possible by our partners:




Source link

mscannabiz.com
Author: mscannabiz.com

MScannaBIZ for all you Mississippi Cannabis News and Information.

Continue Reading
featured21 minutes ago

Marijuana Users Are Nearly 5 Times As Likely To Regularly Exercise Than Eat Fast Food, Stereotype-Busting Survey Shows

video1 hour ago

Ban considered on new medical marijuana dispensaries in Deltona, causing concerns

featured1 hour ago

Alcohol And Cannabis Consumer Behavior Evolving

video2 hours ago

LSF Health Systems Offers Help for Teens Using Marijuana

featured2 hours ago

Ohio Raises Cannabis Purchasing Limit

featured3 hours ago

Marijuana Dispensary Offers Free Joints For Pics Of Bigfoot Following Local Sighting

featured4 hours ago

First Cannabis Business Licenses Awarded in Minnesota

featured6 hours ago

Major Alcohol Industry Group Pushes Congress To Dial Back Proposed Hemp Product Ban

featured7 hours ago

Vireo Growth Acquires Deep Roots Harvest for $133 Million in Nevada

featured8 hours ago

Feds Warn Retailers That Accepting Welfare Benefits For Marijuana Or CBD Could Result In ‘Criminal Prosecution’

featured10 hours ago

Congressional Cannabis Caucus leader OK with hemp ban (Newsletter: June 9, 2025)

video1 day ago

Lawmakers approve governor’s picks for Nebraska’s new Medical Marijuana Commission

video1 day ago

Smoking marijuana, using gummies linked to heart disease in new study

video1 day ago

Ohioans can soon buy over twice as much nonmedical marijuana

featured1 day ago

Rhode Island Bills To Restrict Hemp THC Drinks Ignore Science And Current Regulations (Op-Ed)

video1 day ago

Video Cannabis use on the rise among seniors study shows

featured1 day ago

Missouri Officials Will Begin Unannounced Marijuana Dispensary Visits For New Product Testing Initiative Next Month

video1 day ago

Gov. Josh Stein launches cannabis task force, seeking to regulate THC and study pot legalization in NC

video1 day ago

Musk’s 'Govt Efficiency' Ends In MAYHEM: Cockroaches, Marijuana & Wiped Research At USIP

video1 day ago

Deltona considers ban on new medical marijuana dispensaries

video1 day ago

New recreational marijuana shop in Moorhead nearly two weeks since opening

video1 day ago

Law enforcement say testing drivers for marijuana use presents challenges

video2 days ago

Louisville man caught with 15 pounds of THC edibles, marijuana wax in Sumner County

video2 days ago

How Minnesota law enforcement agencies are handling marijuana on the roads

California Cannabis Updates1 year ago

Alert: Department of Cannabis Control updates data dashboards with full data for 2023 

best list10 months ago

5 best CBD creams of 2024 by Leafly

Breaking News1 year ago

Connecticut Appoints The US’s First Cannabis Ombudsperson – Yes there is a pun in there and I’m Sure Erin Kirk Is Going To Hear It More Than Once!

Bay Smokes12 months ago

Free delta-9 gummies from Bay Smokes

cbd1 year ago

New Study Analyzes the Effects of THCV, CBD on Weight Loss

Business9 months ago

EU initiative begins bid to open access to psychedelic therapies

Mississippi Cannabis News1 year ago

Mississippi city official pleads guilty to selling fake CBD products

California1 year ago

May 2024 Leafly HighLight: Pink Runtz strain

Breaking News1 year ago

Curaleaf Start Process Of Getting Their Claws Into The UK’s National Health System – With Former MP (Resigned Today 30/5/24) As The Front Man

Mississippi Cannabis News1 year ago

Horn Lake denies cannabis dispensary request to allow sale of drug paraphernalia and Sunday sales | News

Hemp1 year ago

Press Release: CANNRA Calls for Farm Bill to Clarify Existing State Authority to Regulate Hemp Products

autoflower seeds8 months ago

5 best autoflower seed banks of 2024 by Leafly

cannabis brands9 months ago

Discover New York’s dankest cannabis brands [September 2024]

Mississippi Cannabis News1 year ago

Local medical cannabis dispensary reacts to MSDH pulling Rapid Analytics License – WLBT

Breaking News1 year ago

Nevada CCB to Accept Applications for Cannabis Establishments in White Pine County – “Only one cultivation and one production license will be awarded in White Pine County”

Arkansas8 months ago

The Daily Hit: October 2, 2024

best list1 year ago

6 best CBD gummies of 2024 by Leafly

best list12 months ago

5 best THC drinks of 2024 by Leafly

Breaking News1 year ago

Weekly Update: Monday, May 13, 2024 including, New Guide for Renewals & May Board meeting application deadline

best list11 months ago

5 best delta-9 THC gummies of 2024 by Leafly

Mississippi Cannabis News1 year ago

People In This State Googled ‘Medical Marijuana’ The Most, Study Shows

Breaking News1 year ago

PRESS RELEASE : Justice Department Submits Proposed Regulation to Reschedule Marijuana

California Cannabis Updates1 year ago

Press Release: May 9, STIIIZY and Healing Urban Barrios hosted an Expungement Clinic & Second Chance Resource Fair

Asia Pacific & Australia1 year ago

Thailand: Pro-cannabis advocates rally ahead of the government’s plan to recriminalize the plant

Trending