|
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
|
Georgia retailers prepare to pull hemp THC products ahead of the Dec. 11 federal limits
GEORGIA • WTOC • Oct 14
With the federal total-THC standard set to take effect December 11, Georgia retailers are preparing for most hemp-derived THC products to come off shelves. Mehrnush Saadat, founder of Atlanta-area nonalcoholic bottle shop Soberish, said nearly her entire inventory would become unsellable under the new definition and that she expects customers to stock up in advance. The station noted Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has previously supported federal action restricting intoxicating hemp-derived THC products; his office had not responded to a request for comment.
Why it matters: Georgia retail partners carrying hemp-derived beverages face a hard inventory cutoff in under 60 days — finished products over 0.4 mg total THC per container will no longer qualify as hemp under federal law, so sell-through and returns planning needs to start now.
|
Federal
What changes Nov. 12 versus Dec. 11 under the federal hemp law
FEDERAL • Vicente LLP • Oct 13
A Vicente LLP client alert lays out the two-step timeline: the ban on cannabinoids not naturally produced by the cannabis plant (synthetic cannabinoids) takes effect November 12, while the new total-THC standard — 0.3% total THC dry weight, counting THCA — and the 0.4 mg total-THC-per-container cap on finished products take effect December 11, after the September funding law (H.R. 6500) delayed those provisions by a month.
Why it matters: two separate compliance dates, four weeks apart — product formulation reviews need to clear the synthetic-cannabinoid test by Nov. 12 even where total-THC compliance has until Dec. 11.
At NBWA's convention, distributor leaders press for regulatory clarity amid category convergence
FEDERAL • Brewbound • Oct 12–14
At the National Beer Wholesalers Association annual convention in Orlando, president and CEO Craig Purser said "clarification and collaboration" are needed as beverage-alcohol category lines blur, describing the landscape as a never-ending "Freaky Friday." Incoming chair Luke Dahlheimer told distributors Tuesday that "beer is the trump card" while urging wholesalers expanding beyond beer to carry "the whole deck."
Around the States
Minnesota liquor retailers say they will keep selling hemp THC drinks under state law after Dec. 11
MINNESOTA • FOX 9 • Oct 14
Uncertainty ahead of the federal deadline is already cutting orders in Minnesota's roughly $200-million-a-year hemp market, with national chains including Total Wine showing empty shelf space where THC products sat. Top Ten Liquors owner Jon Halper said "We will be in the category on December 12th," citing Minnesota's state framework, though the chain would stop accepting credit cards for those products if they are not federally legal.
Why it matters: where state law still permits sales after Dec. 11, payment processing, insurance and interstate sourcing become the practical constraints for retailers staying in the category.
Pennsylvania senator introduces hemp bill with 21+ sales, testing and labeling rules
PENNSYLVANIA • Senator Keefer E-News • Oct 13
Sen. Dawn Keefer (R) said her newly introduced PA Hemp and Cannabinoid Act would set a 21-and-over purchase age, product testing and labeling requirements, and a ban on packaging and promotions aimed at children, calling it "a clear regulatory framework" for hemp businesses. Pennsylvania currently has no statewide age gate or uniform testing standard for consumable hemp products.
Great Lakes Wine & Spirits and partners move to acquire RNDC's Michigan businesses
MICHIGAN • DBusiness • Oct 12
Great Lakes Wine & Spirits has a purchase agreement for RNDC Michigan's ADA business and, with Imperial Beverage and Vintage Wine Co., is seeking RNDC's Michigan wine business as RNDC winds down in Chapter 11. The deals require approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, with the parties aiming to close between October 30 and November 15, Brewbound reported.
Why it matters: suppliers and retailers routed through RNDC Michigan should confirm successor-distributor assignments and ordering continuity before the target closing window.
On the Radar
Nov. 12 — The federal ban on cannabinoids not naturally produced by the cannabis plant (synthetic cannabinoids) in hemp products takes effect, four weeks ahead of the total-THC changeover.
Dec. 11 — The federal total-THC standard and 0.4 mg per-container cap take effect; finished hemp products above the cap no longer qualify as hemp under federal law.
Dec. 7 — Comments due to TTB on 16 industry information collections up for OMB reapproval (ICN 99, posted Oct. 6), covering recordkeeping and reporting requirements across permittees.
|