Alcohol Association To Congress: Create Regulatory Category For Hemp Derivatives Like CBD And Delta-8 THC

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) sent a letter to Congress offering advice on regulating hemp-derived cannabinoids, including CBD and delta-8 THC.

The WSWA, which published a letter in April urging Congress to legalize and regulate cannabis like alcohol, noted in this recent letter that the alcohol industry has experience in regulating intoxicating products and can help Congress develop a safe and consumer-centric regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoids, reported Marijuana Moment.

In the letter to the House and Senate committees, the WSWA recommended that Congress create a distinct regulatory category for intoxicating cannabinoids like delta-8 THC and that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) be responsible for overseeing those products.

“The transition from Prohibition to legal status for alcohol has been an American success story,” the letter says. “Since the 21st Amendment’s enactment, a safe, consumer-centric and economically vibrant marketplace has developed, one serving the needs of both regulators and consumers. While individual regulations have evolved, the basic federal regulatory structure of permitting and tax collection continues to endure.”

The WSWA also noted that Congress should ensure that states are seen as regulatory partners and that consumer protections are promoted.

The association's comments come as Congress is considering creating a framework to oversee the nation's cannabis market. The Food and Drug Administration has said that it currently lacks the necessary authority to enact a regulatory framework for CBD on its own.

Some advocates see the alcohol association's engagement on the issue as a boon to reform efforts, while others have been skeptical about the alcohol industry's influence on cannabis legalization legislation.

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