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. A quieter day for state-level action, so today’s edition runs a little leaner. Top Story Carney asks premiers to put U.S. alcohol back on shelves as tariff deal nears CANADA–U.S. TRADE • BNN Bloomberg • Aug 20 Prime Minister Mark Carney asked provincial premiers to return U.S. alcohol to store shelves as negotiators work to finalize a U.S.–Canada trade deal; Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said the request “came directly out of the negotiating table” and that he is willing to comply, while Quebec said it needs more information from Ottawa before deciding. Most provinces pulled U.S. beer, wine and spirits from government stores in 2025. President Trump has paused the 50% tariffs on Canadian goods — including beer, wine, cider and liquor — through the end of day Friday, August 21, and provincial sources told CTV News the deal is not yet final. A White House document said Canada “expressed a commitment” to address U.S. concerns on alcohol, autos and dairy. Why it matters: A deal along these lines would reopen Canadian retail shelf space for U.S. beverage exports closed since early 2025; if talks fail, 50% duties on Canadian beverage imports resume Saturday, hitting import costs for distributors and retailers. |
Federal Trump nominates Dr. Heidi Overton as FDA commissioner FEDERAL • CBS News • Aug 19 President Trump nominated Dr. Heidi Overton, a physician and deputy assistant to the president for domestic policy, to lead the Food and Drug Administration; she would succeed acting commissioner Kyle Diamantas following Dr. Marty Makary’s resignation in May, pending Senate confirmation. Why it matters: FDA sets federal policy on beverage ingredients and hemp-derived cannabinoids, so the confirmed commissioner will shape how the agency approaches the hemp beverage category. Bipartisan House members ask administration for Schedule III implementation guidance FEDERAL • Cannabis Business Times • Aug 19 Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Greg Steube (R-FL) asked the administration to clarify how the new Schedule III framework will handle Section 280E tax treatment, DEA registration requirements, federal enforcement and related questions, requesting answers by September 30. The lawmakers wrote that “additional guidance would be helpful on several practical questions.” Around the States Rhode Island: federal judge lifts block on retail cannabis licensing RHODE ISLAND • Marijuana Moment • Aug 18 U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose dissolved the April injunction that had stopped Rhode Island’s Cannabis Control Commission from awarding 20 new retail licenses, after lawmakers removed the residency requirement at issue; applications are open through November 23. On the Radar Friday, Aug. 21 — The three-day pause on 50% U.S. tariffs covering Canadian beer, wine, cider and liquor expires at the end of the day; a finalized deal or a resumption of the duties is expected by the weekend. November 12 — The federal hemp redefinition takes effect, limiting products to 0.3% total THC and prohibiting synthesized cannabinoids. State attorneys general are split in letters to Congress: a 35-member coalition urged Congress to keep the ban in place, while other officials and industry groups have pressed for a delay or a regulatory alternative such as the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act. DEA rescheduling — With final briefs filed August 18, DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge Derek Julius now prepares a recommendation on moving marijuana to Schedule III; no timeline has been announced, and the final decision rests with the DEA administrator. |