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 on the regulatory wires — today's edition runs a bit shorter than usual. TOP STORY All provinces agree to restock U.S. alcohol as trade deal nears U.S.–CANADA • CP24 • Aug 20 Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham said all provinces have agreed to return U.S. alcohol to store shelves as “a sign of good faith” while Ottawa and Washington work to finalize a tentative trade agreement; Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc returned to Washington as the pause on threatened 50% U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods runs through Saturday. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said his province has no immediate plans to restock and urged Canadians not to buy U.S. products; only Alberta and Saskatchewan currently carry U.S. alcohol. BNN Bloomberg reported that polling shows about 80% of Canadians support keeping the restrictions, while roughly half would accept lifting them as part of a favorable deal. Why it matters: If the shelf bans lift, U.S. brewers and beverage exporters regain access to provincial retail systems closed since last year — but relisting timelines and consumer demand will determine how quickly volumes recover, and Saturday's deadline decides whether 50% tariffs return. |
AROUND THE STATES New Hampshire lawmakers override veto of medical cannabis greenhouse bill NEW HAMPSHIRE • NHPR • Aug 19 Lawmakers overrode Gov. Kelly Ayotte's veto of SB 468 — 257–44 in the House and 16–8 in the Senate — allowing the state's four nonprofit alternative treatment centers to grow medical cannabis in greenhouses. Supporters said the change aims to boost supply and reduce patient costs; Ayotte said in her June veto message that she did “not support expanding the cultivation of marijuana” in the state. Michigan cannabis regulator files formal complaints against two retailers MICHIGAN • Michigan LARA/CRA • Aug 19 The Cannabis Regulatory Agency filed new formal complaints against Monroe-based Fire Farm, LLC (dba Crave Cannabis), alleging undocumented removal of Metrc-tagged product from its receiving area, and against New Buffalo-based Weber Family Ventures (dba The Plug), alleging staff refused investigators access to video surveillance recordings. Penalties can include fines, license suspension, restriction, non-renewal or revocation. Why it matters: Track-and-trace documentation and records access remain primary enforcement triggers for licensees — a reminder for any partner moving tagged inventory to keep transfer paperwork and surveillance retention airtight. ON THE RADAR Nov. 12 / Dec. 11 — federal hemp ban. The federal ban on most intoxicating hemp products remains set to take effect November 12. The Senate's continuing resolution, passed 90–6 on August 8, would delay it to December 11, but the measure still requires House action and a presidential signature; synthetic cannabinoids not producible by the cannabis plant would be recriminalized November 12 regardless. Sept. 16 — new TTB appellation takes effect. TTB's final rule establishing the 29,387-acre Columbia Hills viticultural area in Klickitat County, Washington becomes effective September 16; four additional AVA proposals published August 14 remain in the comment stage. Sept. 30 — Schedule III answers requested. Four House members have asked the administration to answer cannabis rescheduling implementation questions — Medicare coverage, tax treatment and DEA registration among them — by September 30; the DEA hearing record closed with final briefs August 18. |