Delta Beverages Highlights Advocacy for Hemp Industry
Recent state and federal bans could limit consumer access.
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Delta Beverages has made an initial $50,000 contribution to the Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition (BAMCO), supporting a growing federal advocacy effort aimed at advancing legislation for hemp-derived beverages in the United States.
BAMCO is working in coordination with leading industry organizations, including the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA), Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), Beverage Wholesalers for Responsible Regulation (BWRR), and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), to develop and execute a unified federal lobbying strategy. These efforts are focused on promoting responsible regulation and opposing policies that could hinder the growth of the hemp beverage category.
To date, BAMCO has raised more than $1 million in support of this federal advocacy campaign and continues to actively seek additional funding to strengthen its initiatives in Washington, D.C. In parallel with its federal engagement, Delta Beverages has played an active role at the state level, contributing to policymakers and organizations that support balanced hemp beverage regulation. These efforts span multiple states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, Tennessee, Illinois, and Texas.
"Delta Beverages is committed to supporting a responsible and sustainable path forward for hemp-derived beverages," said Jack Sherrie, Founder and CEO of Delta Beverages. "We believe thoughtful regulation, as opposed to prohibition, is the key to industry innovation and long-term growth, but most importantly, consumer safety, which is of the utmost importance to ethos. We're proud to support BAMCO and work alongside our partners to ensure the industry has a strong voice at the federal level."
This initiative comes amid increasing scrutiny of hemp-derived cannabinoids following the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized hemp but left regulatory gaps around finished consumer products. In response, a patchwork of state-level restrictions and proposed federal measures, including efforts that could effectively ban certain hemp-derived beverages, has created significant uncertainty for operators and consumers, posing a potential threat to the category's growth and stability.
With regulatory frameworks shifting across state and federal levels, industry alignment can help ensure consistency and clarity.
"As policies and regulations around hemp beverages are changing almost daily, our industry must stay engaged and proactive at the federal level," says David Thomas, chief strategy officer of Delta Beverages. "Without coordinated advocacy, we risk a fragmented regulatory landscape that could stifle modernization and limit consumer access. This is a pivotal moment for our category, and collective action is essential."
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