Good morning — here’s the regulatory picture for alcohol and hemp/THC beverages, readable in about three minutes. Every headline links to the original source. TOP STORY Trump pauses the 50% tariffs on Canadian beverages hours before they were to take effect, citing a pending deal FEDERAL / TRADE • CP24 / Prime Minister’s Office • Aug 18–19 The additional 50% Section 338 tariffs on a broad list of Canadian goods — including beer, wine and spirits — did not take effect this morning. Late Tuesday night, just before the midnight deadline, President Trump announced he had “paused the 50% Tariffs against Canada” for three days, saying the two countries “have a DEAL” pending final paperwork. Prime Minister Mark Carney said “substantial progress has been made, although there is important work still to be done”; his office said the U.S. agreed to delay the tariffs until August 21. Per a White House document cited by CP24, Canada committed to addressing U.S. concerns including alcohol, autos and dairy. Why it matters: No new duties land on Canadian-sourced beverages and ingredients this week — but the pause runs only through Friday, and the deal terms under negotiation include Canadian provincial shelf access for U.S. alcohol, so both landed costs and export access could change within days. |
FEDERAL Final briefs filed in DEA hearing on moving marijuana to Schedule III FEDERAL • Marijuana Moment • Aug 18 DEA argued in its final brief that marijuana “no longer fits” Schedule I, citing more than 30,000 practitioners recommending it for some 6 million patients; opposing filers — including Smart Approaches to Marijuana with Idaho, Indiana and Nebraska — said the government invented “new standards” not found in the law. Chief Administrative Law Judge Derek Julius now prepares a recommendation, with the final call resting with DEA Administrator Terrance Cole; no timeline is set. AROUND THE STATES Virginia hemp businesses ask for a special session after judge declines to block the 2 mg THC cap VIRGINIA • Marijuana Moment • Aug 17 After U.S. District Judge Robert S. Ballou on August 14 denied their request to block the state’s new 2 mg-per-product THC limit, seven hemp business owners are asking legislators to convene a special session to reinstate the prior 25-to-1 CBD-to-THC ratio exception and pause enforcement. Cannabis Small Business Association president Barbara Biddle said the judge “acknowledged that this was rushed legislation”; a spokesperson for Gov. Spanberger said “untested and highly-intoxicating products have flooded Virginia with little oversight.” Why it matters: The 2 mg cap has been enforceable since Saturday — hemp beverages above it are off Virginia shelves absent legislative action, which affects product plans in New Realm’s Virginia Beach market. Georgia regulators propose home delivery of medical cannabis, including by USPS GEORGIA • Marijuana Moment / Atlanta News First • Aug 17–18 The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission proposed rules allowing licensed producers to deliver low-THC oil products directly to registered patients via USPS, FedEx and UPS; executive director Andrew Turnage said the rules rely on “the authority in that DEA rescheduling order for state-regulated medical marijuana program.” The commission takes public comment September 16 and plans a vote September 30; carriers have not confirmed participation. ON THE RADAR Friday, Aug. 21 — The tariff pause expires. Ottawa says the delay runs to August 21; President Trump described it as three days with deal documents being finalized — watch for the published text and whether beverage tariff lines and provincial shelf access are addressed. Nov. 12 → Dec. 11? — The federal hemp redefinition still takes effect Nov. 12 unless the House takes up the Senate-passed delay to Dec. 11 (90–6); Missouri’s Nov. 12 state ban gives hemp beverages — and only beverages — a matching reprieve if Congress acts. Sept. 9 / Oct. 13 — The North Carolina ABC Commission returns to its tabled minimum liquor-pricing proposal September 9; comments on TTB’s four proposed viticultural areas are due October 13. |