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A coalition of hemp beverage manufacturers, supply chain partners, and alcohol retailers and distributors have come together to form the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA).
The mission of the organization is to advocate for and educate on federal legislation by adhering to a clear code of conduct and sensible regulations for manufacturing and marketing, with a focus on consumer safety. The coalition serves as a unified voice for stakeholders in the hemp and alcohol industries, aiming to make hemp-derived delta-9-THC beverages accessible through traditional retail outlets.
The legal groundwork for hemp THC beverages was established by the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% THC at a federal level. This legislation allowed many U.S. farmers to grow and sell hemp, leading to the rise of industrial hemp as a profitable cash crop.
Since then, a multi-billion dollar market has emerged for low-dose hemp-derived THC beverages distributed throughout the United States. Minnesota was the first state to regulate the THC beverage industry, ensuring consumer access to safe, regulated products and enabling businesses to innovate responsibly within defined boundaries. Many other states have since followed suit to create safe hemp programs.
The chair of CABA, Diana Eberlein, emphasizes the explosive growth of the cannabis beverage industry since 2018, projecting a market value of $3.8 billion by 2030. CABA’s focus is on establishing clear regulatory pathways to ensure product safety, transparency, and responsible marketing practices for low-dose THC beverages, prioritizing consumer health and safety. The coalition looks forward to collaborating with Congress toward a future where consumers can choose safe adult beverage alternatives through sensible regulation.
CABA is working to advocate for proper age restrictions, third-party testing, standardized packaging and labeling requirements, prevention of marketing to minors, transparent ingredient sourcing, and clear THC beverage dosage and serving guidelines. The coalition believes these products should be sold in venues where alcohol is available, while more potent products remain in regulated marijuana markets.
With a focus on education and safety, CABA has hired Thorn Run Partners and S-3 Group to lobby on its behalf in Washington D.C., aiming to preserve the legal status of naturally occurring cannabinoids, especially hemp-derived THC and other derivatives.
Founding board members of CABA include SōRSE Technology, Vertosa, Open Book Extracts, Rebel Rabbit, Wynk, Keef, Pamos, Cann, Emergent Beverages, Spec’s, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Eagle Rock Distributor Co, and Tilray.
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Emil Kovács graduated from the Journalism program at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary. During his journalism studies, he focused on data journalism, investigative reporting, and multimedia storytelling. He gained experience by writing for the university’s student newspaper, where he gained attention for his articles on social issues. After graduation, Emil began working as a reporter at a European news agency, where he conducts in-depth analyses of international news and current events.
