A major alcohol association offers federal legislators advice on how to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC and CBD.
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, which supported federal legalization of marijuana in the beginning of this year, sent a letter on Friday to House and Senate Committees in response to their recent request for information about CBD and other emerging cannabis cannabinoids.
It says that the transition from Prohibition into legal alcohol status has been a success story in America. Since the 21st Amendment was enacted, a safe and consumer-centric marketplace that is economically vibrant has emerged, serving both the needs of regulators and consumers. The federal government’s basic regulatory structure for permitting and tax collection has not changed, even though individual regulations may have evolved.
The letter continued: “As Congress considers potential regulatory pathways for intoxicating products made from hemp, America’s wholesalers of wine and spirits believe that it is important to share the lessons learned by our industry over time and encourage you and other lawmakers to pursue vigorous reform and regulation.”
The FDA, after an extensive review of its current , stated earlier this year it believed it lacked the authority to create a regulatory framework for CBD on its own.
House Energy & Commerce Committee and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) announced last month that they would accept expert input until the end of the last week. State marijuana regulators, hemp industries groups, and other stakeholders, in addition to WSWA sent letters with detailed answers to dozens specific questions from panels.
WSWA argued that legislators should create a separate regulatory category for intoxicating cannabis cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC and make the Alcohol and Tobacco Trade and Tax Bureau (TTB), responsible for these products. The association had previously suggested that TTB supervise the marijuana industry in the event cannabis was federally legalized.
The letter to legislators states that WSWA has “experience in serving the market safely for an intoxicating products in the decades following the passage of 21st Amendment.” While we may not be experts in some of the areas you have requested information on (such as safety and toxicity for CBD and hemp-derived cannabinoids), our members are able to answer a few of the questions.
The group–which previously endorsed a Senate bill to allow CBD to be used in consumable products such as foods, drinks and dietary supplements–addressed several key questions related to issues such as creating national standards for CBD products, regulating lesser known intoxicating cannabinoids, ensuring that states are seen as regulatory partners, promoting consumer protections and more.
The comments come after top executives from WSWA spoke months ago at their annual conference explaining why they supported marijuana legalization, and encouraging others in the alcohol industry to join them.
WSWA supported the states’ right to legalize marijuana and then held a presentation on Capitol Hill in order to inform legislators and congressional staffers of its position.
Some reformers see the Alcohol Association’s involvement in the issue as a boon for reform efforts. This is especially true given the association’s large membership and its connections with Congress.
has been skeptical of the marijuana industry, and has warned against a similar approach to alcohol. They argue that this could disrupt the existing state markets as well as threaten small businesses by giving too much power to the large companies.
Below, you can read the letter from the Alcohol Industry Association to Congress about CBD and other Cannabinoids:
Bill Maher, a joint-smoking Bill Maher and GOP presidential candidate Ramaswamy discuss marijuana legalization in a chat
The article Top Alcohol Industry Association gives Congress advice on regulating Hemp derivatives such as CBD and Delta-8 THC first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
