Alcohol Retailers Push Congress To Delay Hemp THC Ban While Regulations Are Crafted – Marijuana Moment
Alcohol Retailers Push Congress To Delay Hemp THC Ban While Regulations Are Crafted
‘Dark Money’ Anti-Marijuana Group Is Bankrolling Ballot Measures To Roll Back Legalization In Multiple States, Records Show
Delaware Lawmakers Consider Bill To Allow Medical Marijuana Use In Hospitals By Terminally Ill Patients
Hawaii Lawmakers File Bills To Put Marijuana Legalization On The Ballot For Voters To Decide
New Washington Bill Would Legalize Home Cultivation Of Marijuana
Marijuana’s Restrictive Federal Classification Isn’t Supported By Science, New Study Concludes
USDA Study Shows Untapped Potential Of Hemp Roots In Pediatric Cancer Treatment
More Than A Third Of Rap And Hip Hop Music Videos Feature Marijuana, Government-Funded Study Shows
CBD Has ‘Substantial Promise’ To Combat Tumors From Cancer, Scientific Review Shows
Marijuana Users Are Being Unjustly Jailed For Allegedly Driving Under The Influence, Government-Funded Study Shows
State Marijuana Regulators Share Tips On How To Stay Safe And Legal Around The Holidays
One In Three Americans ‘Pre-Game’ With Marijuana Before Family Holiday Gatherings, Survey Finds
As More Americans Choose Marijuana Over Alcohol, Mainstream Media Notices The ‘Cousin Walk’ Thanksgiving Tradition
Joe Rogan Slams ‘Really Bad’ Federal Hemp Ban Trump Signed, Blaming Alcohol Industry For Influencing Congress
New Netflix Documentary Shows How Psychedelics Help Military Veterans Heal Trauma
Montana Retailers Have Sold More Than $1 Billion Worth Of Recreational Marijuana Since Legalization Took Effect
Pre-Rolls Are A Key Driver Of The Cannabis Retail Market’s Success (Op-Ed)
Massachusetts Hits $10 Billion Marijuana Sales Milestone, With Top Official Saying Consumption Lounges Will Bolster Industry In 2026
Ohio Dispensaries Sold More Than $1 Billion Worth Of Legal Marijuana In 2025
Marijuana Consumers Are More Likely To Shop At Target Following Decision To Sell Cannabis-Infused Drinks, Poll Shows
ATF revises gun ban for marijuana & other drug consumers (Newsletter: January 22, 2026)
AG misses cannabis & psychedelics research rule deadline (Newsletter: January 21, 2026)
Feds tout hemp roots’ potential in kids’ cancer treatment (Newsletter: January 20, 2026)
Senators push to delay federal hemp THC ban (Newsletter: January 19, 2026)
GOP senators try to stop Trump’s cannabis rescheduling (Newsletter: January 16, 2026)
Published
on
By
Major alcohol retailers are coming together to encourage Congress to delay the enactment of a law President Donald Trump recently signed that will federally recriminalize hemp-derived THC beverages and other products.
The newly launched Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition’s (BAMCO) founding members include Total Wine & More, BevMo! by Gopuff, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Spec’s Wine and Spirits & Finer Foods, as well as a group of hemp product wholesalers.
“We know how to sell regulated products,” BAMCO spokesman Jonathan Grella said in a press release. “We do it every day.”
The coalition is calling on lawmakers to pass recently introduced legislation, the Hemp Planting Predictability Act, that would give the hemp industry two more years before a federal ban on THC products would take effect—which stakeholders hope will better position them to negotiate a broader regulatory compromise.
The law is currently set to become effective this November.
“This coalition is here to help policymakers land in the right place—with a pragmatic, responsible approach that voters already understand and support. We’re creating the space for smart regulation by showing broad alignment among consumers, merchants, and experienced operators,” Grella said.
BAMCO launches today: Top alcohol merchants united for responsible federal regulation of low-dose adult-use hemp beverages.
We know how to sell regulated products—we do it every day—using the proven three-tier system for safe, transparent access.⁰Read: https://t.co/PHhNDlX8VF
— Jonathan Grella (@JonathanGrella) January 21, 2026
“This isn’t about delay for delay’s sake—it’s about doing it right,” he said. “The polling is clear. Every day Americans want these products. Businesses want clarity and consistency. And regulators already have a model that works—the three-tier alcohol system.”
The coalition says it wants to apply the same regulatory structure that governs beverage alcohol producers, distributors and merchants to hemp drinks “to ensure safe, transparent access.”
Other alcohol industry groups such as Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America have also backed regulating hemp products instead of prohibiting them.
BAMCO, for its part, says its regulatory priorities include limiting sales to adults over 21, having THC serving limits, mandating testing and labeling, ensuring responsible marketing and directing tax revenue to fund enforcement efforts. It also wants to have a multi-tier system of distribution through licensed retailers and wholesalers while giving states “flexibility layered over a clear federal framework.”
Tom Angell is the editor of Marijuana Moment. A 25-year veteran in the cannabis and drug law reform movement, he covers the policy and politics of marijuana, psychedelics and other substances. He previously reported for Forbes, Marijuana.com and MassRoots, and was given the Hunter S. Thompson Media Award by NORML and has been named Journalist of the Year by Americans for Safe Access. As an activist, Tom founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority and handled media relations, campaigns and lobbying for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and Students for Sensible Drug Policy.
Add Marijuana Moment as a preferred source on Google.
All the cannabis news you need, all in one place. Copyright © 2017-2026 Marijuana Moment LLC ® and Tom Angell
