North Carolinians strongly support legalizing medical marijuana, and a majority wants to go even further by legalizing cannabis for recreational use, according to a new poll.

The survey published on Thursday by Elon University also found that North Carolina adults support keeping THC-infused hemp products like seltzers and gummies legal in the state, although with age limits.

Medical cannabis legalization is supported by 75 percent of respondents, with only 11 percent in opposition.

While there is bipartisan support for the patient-focused reform, Democrats are much more likely to support it, at 89 percent, as compared to Republicans, only 57 percent of whom are on board.

Broader recreational marijuana legalization comes in at 55 percent in support overall and 30 percent opposed. While 74 percent of Democrats favor the reform, just 33 percent of Republicans do.

Meanwhile, as North Carolina lawmakers continue to debate how to handle the issue of hemp-derived THC products, the poll shows that most state residents want to keep them legal.

When asked whether North Carolina should “allow or prohibit the sale of hemp-derived products like seltzers and gummies with THC levels that can cause intoxication or a ‘high,’” 53 percent said they back keeping them legal, while 28 percent said they should be banned.

As with broader cannabis legalization, a majority of Democrats (62 percent) were on board with legal hemp THC products, and only a minority (35 percent) of Republicans were.

In a separate question, 82 percent of all respondents said they back banning sales of hemp-derived consumable products to people under the age of 21, including majorities across party lines.

Jason Husser, director of the Elon University Poll and professor of political science and public policy, noted that support for marijuana legalization has remained stable in the state in recent years.

“We found a significant increase in support for legalization between 2017 and 2021 as North Carolinians saw legalization occurring in other states,” he said in a press release. “Over the last five years, support for legalization has largely been stable with a large majority supporting medical legalization and a small majority favoring recreational legalization.”

“In turn, support for allowing hemp-based THC has similar levels of support and high correlation with support for recreational marijuana,” he said. “However, North Carolinians are largely unified in wanting hemp consumables restricted to those 21 or older.”

The poll involved interviews with 1,121 North Carolina adults between August 21-31 and has a margin of error of +/-5.09 percentage points.

The results come as Gov. Josh Stein (D) is continuing to pressure the GOP-controlled legislature for marijuana reform.

Last month, the governor called on lawmakers to legalize and regulate cannabis in a way that “protects kids” while lawmakers this week are considering a bill to restrict hemp THC products.

In a social media post he noted that lawmakers are considering legislation that “aims to eliminate the Wild West that is North Carolina’s THC market.”

The governor has repeatedly called on lawmakers to broadly legalize and regulate cannabis, though GOP legislative leaders have been more interested in focusing on the narrower hemp issue.

A bill to restrict hemp and kratom products that was recently approved by the Senate now awaits potential action in the House.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in North Carolina have been considering legislation to legalize medical cannabis for the last several sessions—with the Senate approving several proposals and the House refusing to follow suit.

North Carolina’s Senate president pro tempore recently said that lawmakers will take a more serious look at legalizing medical marijuana following the Trump administration’s move to reschedule cannabis at the federal level.

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The governor-appointed cannabis commission in North Carolina issued a report in April recommending that the state move away from a criminalization-based approach to the plant and toward a system of “robust” regulations that provide for adults’ legal access to THC products.

The North Carolina Advisory Council on Cannabis, which Stein convened last year, says in the new document approved in April that the current “absence of regulation for North Carolina’s intoxicating cannabis market raises numerous concerns,” noting that hemp products are readily available yet largely unregulated and that marijuana remains prohibited altogether in the state, even for medical use.

“Compared to regulated marijuana frameworks in other states, this environment presents identifiable risks,” the interim report says. “While some operators voluntarily implement consumer protection protocols, these safeguards are not required under state law.”

Stein, for his part, thanked the group for its “expertise, hard work, and thoughtful deliberation” in a press release and reiterated his support for legalizing marijuana.

Members are tasked with developing and submitting initial recommendations on a “comprehensive cannabis policy, including any proposed legislation,” with a final report due by December 31 of this year.

During his time as the state’s attorney general, Stein led a separate task force under then-Gov. Roy Cooper (D) that examined racial injustice issues and ultimately recommended decriminalizing marijuana and studying broader legalization in response to racially disparate enforcement trends.

A tribe in North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, launched the state’s first marijuana dispensary in 2024—despite the protests of certain Republican congressional lawmakers.

Democratic lawmakers recently filed legislation to allow voters to decide whether to legalize marijuana for personal or medical use at the ballot box this November—though Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R) said the bill is unlikely to advance.

Meanwhile, bipartisan North Carolina lawmakers have been stepping up the push for psychedelics reform legislation.

Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.

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The extent of the problem with illegal tobacco is already considerable. From April 2025 to March 2026, HMRC and the Border Force reported seizing about 1.9 billion illicit cigarettes, with an estimated revenue value of around £1.1 billion. Moreover, the Government’s own strategy on illicit tobacco admits that cheap illegal cigarettes give smokers access to an unregulated supply that can weaken the deterrent effect of high tobacco prices.

Industry research recently brought to light by Convenience Store has also raised concerns among independent retailers, since JTI’s Pack Swap data indicates that a high percentage of the cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco inspected were not subject to UK duty payment. Although these estimates are based on industry sources rather than official market data, they support what the government’s enforcement statistics have already shown: illegal tobacco remains deeply embedded in certain areas of the retail sector.

Illicit tobacco: much more than a revenue issue

This raises an important question regarding tobacco harm reduction: if there is continued demand for nicotine, then what legal alternatives are smokers being advised to select? For many years, Britain adopted a fairly practical attitude towards vaping –  one that had proved successful. The government still holds the view that vaping is less harmful than smoking and that it can assist adult smokers to quit. Strong evidence supports this. The most recent Cochrane living review, which included evidence up to January 2026, once again concluded that nicotine vapes are more effective at helping people to stop smoking than conventional nicotine replacement therapy. Despite this, sadly, the economics of this kind of substitution are now changing.

New vape tax pressures the wrong recipients

Director General of UKVIA, John Dunne, says that viewing compliant vape retailers as businesses which contribute little to their local communities is difficult to square with Britain’s own acknowledgement of vaping as a means of quitting smoking. The association is not asking for less stringent action against illegal sellers; rather, it is urging policymakers to distinguish between responsible specialist retailers and companies that sell illicit products or supply them to minors.

A licensing scheme would be the way to go

That distinction is likely to matter more when duty stamps are introduced alongside the new vaping tax. Starting in October, compliant products entering the market will need stamps, and from April 2027 almost all vaping products not in duty-suspension arrangements will need one. The Government says the scheme should make it easier to identify legal products and help enforcement against illicit trade.

Safer options should remain affordable and accessible

From the point of view of tobacco harm reduction, the reasonable course of action is not to relax cigarette regulations, but to make sure that legal, lower-risk alternatives are easier and more appealing to get than combustible tobacco from the black market.

If genuine vape shops face excise duties, higher operating costs, and stricter regulation, while illegal cigarette sellers escape all three, the imbalance will, of course, become counterproductive.

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Regular cannabis users given legal access to regulated products through pharmacies are moving away from smoking and towards less harmful ways of taking cannabis, according to interim findings from a randomised trial led by researchers at the University of Bern.

The Safer Cannabis Research in Pharmacies Trial (SCRIPT) followed 1,177 regular cannabis users across Bern, Biel and Lucerne for six months. Researchers randomly split the group, with 588 given immediate access to buy regulated products from participating pharmacies while the remaining 589 carried on sourcing cannabis as they normally would, before gaining pharmacy access themselves at the six-month mark

The results show a significant shift in consumption patterns: In the group with pharmacy access, the proportion smoking cannabis dropped from 78% to 58% over six months. Meanwhile, the control group saw virtually no change, remaining at around 82%.

“The majority of study participants consumed cannabis exclusively by smoking at the start of the study,” the report states. “Over the course of six months, people with access to cannabis products in pharmacies switched more frequently to smoke-free forms of consumption or combined different forms of consumption, whilst hardly any changes were observed in the control group.”

Crucially, the study found no evidence that regulated pharmacy sales increase consumption frequency. Cannabis and tobacco use remained largely stable in both groups, suggesting that regulated access does not drive higher consumption rates.

The SCRIPT scheme is designed to test how cannabis consumers respond to stringent regulation. Participating pharmacies charge prices above illegal market rates, including a simulated tax of CHF 3-4 per gramme – representing 30-50% of the final sale price depending on THC content. This makes SCRIPT’s taxation the highest among Swiss cannabis pilot projects.

Products are sold in plain packaging with standardised health warnings, modelled on Canadian regulations. Monthly purchase limits are capped at 10g of THC, with a maximum of 2g per transaction. All products adhered to a 20% THC limit.

Professor Reto Auer, who led the study, explained that the approach positions SCRIPT on “the more regulated side” of cannabis policy. The study deliberately avoided competing with the illegal market through attractive pricing or marketing, instead focusing on harm reduction within strict regulatory boundaries.

Participating pharmacies reported high satisfaction with the new customers, describing them as “patient, friendly, open and well-informed”. Several pharmacy staff said their preconceptions about cannabis users had changed positively through direct contact.

Study participants also responded favourably to the pharmacy model. After six months, 87% found purchasing cannabis in pharmacies pleasant, 71% were satisfied with staff consultations, and 79% felt sufficient privacy was maintained.

Pharmacists provided counselling on study products and safer consumption methods. Some 71% of participants reported sharing harm reduction information with others in their social circles.

Cannabis flowers accounted for roughly 65% of all sales over the two-year period. E-liquids for vaping made up 21% of purchases, whilst cannabis resin represented 11% and tinctures just 3%.

The study also analysed 127 illegal market cannabis samples provided by participants. Results showed that self-reported THC estimates were wildly inaccurate – only one person correctly assessed their sample’s THC content out of 69 tested. Some participants underestimated by up to 24 percentage points, whilst others overestimated by a similar margin.

Nine samples tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids. Most illegal market cannabis was obtained through friends or known dealers (66%), with 14% from known dealers, 11% home-grown and 9% from unknown sources including street dealers and online.

The pilot continues until 2029, with pharmacy sales extended until 31/10/2028. Researchers plan to analyse long-term effects including changes in tobacco consumption, pneumological risk factors and the prevalence of cannabis hyperemesis syndrome.

Professor Auer emphasised that whilst SCRIPT provides robust evidence about individual-level effects of regulated access, broader societal impacts – such as effects on non-users, youth, consumption norms or the illegal market – require additional data sources, including other Swiss pilot projects and international regulatory experiences.

The findings echo those from other Swiss cannabis trials, such as Zurich’s pharmacy-based pilot, Züri Can, where people reported high satisfaction with harm-reduction advice from sales staff after its first year.

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Licensed cannabis retailers in Canada set a new monthly sales record in June of CA$517.8 million, or about $374.5 million USD. This exceeds the $372.4 million USD generated by California during the same month, which means that Canada — at least for the month of June — became the world’s largest cannabis market, according to SF Gate.

As the world’s second-largest country by land mass, Canada is far bigger than California, but the territories have similarly sized populations. But while California’s cannabis industry has struggled with high taxes, strict regulations, local bans, and competition with a rampant illicit market, the Canadian market has continued growing with new businesses and overseas export opportunities.

California currently has 3.7 cannabis dispensaries or delivery services per 100,000 people, according to the report, while Canada has 7.9 cannabis stores per 100,000 people.

Los Angeles-based cannabis consultant Hirsh Jain told SF Gate that California had all of the advantages it needed to become a global leader in cannabis reforms, “Yet poor policymaking has turned what should have been the world’s premier legal cannabis market into a cautionary tale.”

Previously, Michigan outpaced California in total legal cannabis sales in 2024, although the California market still generated more revenue that year.

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From 24 July 2026, the Therapeutic Goods Administration removed the remaining consumer pathways for accessing nicotine pouches. Personal importation is no longer permitted, doctors cannot prescribe them through the Special Access or Authorised Prescriber schemes, and pharmacists cannot compound them. No nicotine pouch is currently included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, meaning there is effectively no lawful consumer supply.

Sweden shows what Australia is missing

Sweden is renowned for moving in the opposite direction. Instead of expecting every smoker to abandon nicotine entirely, it has allowed non-combustible alternatives to compete with cigarettes. Longstanding snus use has been joined by tobacco-free nicotine pouches, helping create a diverse market of products that avoid combustion.

Britain shows why consumer choice matters

Nicotine pouches mostly attract smokers and recent ex-smokers. Action on Smoking and Health’s 2026 survey found current pouch use at 5.1% among smokers, 2.1% among ex-smokers and just 0.3% among never-smokers. Among people who had quit smoking during the previous year, pouch use reached 5.8%.

Australia’s restrictions are feeding a massive black market

The ABS stresses that these estimates are not definite because wastewater can measure overall nicotine consumption but cannot determine which products produced it. Administrative and survey data must therefore be used to allocate consumption across cigarettes, vapes and other nicotine products.

New Zealand provides the most relevant comparison

Australia does not need to look as far as Sweden for an alternative regulatory model. Neighbouring New Zealand has historically regulated vaping as a legal consumer product rather than forcing consumers through Australia’s much narrower system. A 2025 study in Addiction compared smoking and vaping trends in the two countries between 2016 and 2023.

The observational study cannot prove that vaping regulation alone caused this difference. But it provides a valuable natural comparison between neighbouring countries with similar conventional tobacco-control policies and sharply different approaches to safer nicotine alternatives. Importantly (and in this case mostly overlooked), consumer accounts indicate that Australia’s harsh restrictions on safer alternatives are where the problem lies.

Meanwhile, New Zealand itself does not yet operate an unrestricted legal nicotine-pouch market; oral nicotine products remain subject to specific medicines and psychoactive-substance rules. The stronger lesson from New Zealand is therefore about vaping: legal, regulated alternatives can coexist with faster declines in smoking.

Australia needs to put risk back at the centre

No one is implying that nicotine pouches should be sold freely and free of regulations. They should have enforceable standards covering nicotine content, ingredients, packaging and youth access. Manufacturers should be required to substantiate claims, and regulators should continue gathering long-term oral-health and epidemiological evidence. But none of that requires eliminating legal access.

Sweden demonstrates the potential value of consumer choice. Britain shows different alternatives can appeal to different smokers. New Zealand shows that regulated vaping will lead to rapid declines in smoking. Australia’s approach remains the reverse: make safer products difficult to obtain, leave cigarettes readily available, then fight the black market that predictably fills the gap. If the objective is genuinely to reduce smoking-related disease, that hierarchy needs to be turned the right way up.

Australia Insists on Opting for Nicotine Prohibition, Despite Failing Miserably

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CBD, short for cannabidiol, has taken the health and wellness world by storm. 25% of American adults are either currently using CBD products as part of their lifestyle routine or are interested in trying them.

While many other countries have embraced CBD for its potential benefits, cannabis policies vary significantly based on where you are. So, if you’re planning a trip to Dubai or moving there, you may be wondering, is CBD legal in Dubai? and if you can bring your favorite CBD products with you.

The short answer is, no: unless you want serious legal trouble.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about CBD regulations in Dubai — what’s allowed, what’s banned, and what happens if you get caught with it.

Understanding CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of over a hundred naturally occurring compounds in the cannabis plant. Unlike THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which produces the “high” associated with marijuana, CBD is non-psychoactive. This means it won’t alter your mental state or impair daily function.

Some studies suggest CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a complex network of receptors and neurotransmitters that helps regulate essential functions such as mood, sleep, immune response, and pain perception. Because of this, many people turn to CBD for relief from:

• Chronic pain
• Anxiety and stress
• Insomnia
• Inflammation and pain recovery

Note: The FDA has not approved CBD for treating or preventing any medical condition.

Thanks to its presumed benefits, CBD has become widely available in various forms, including oils, capsules, skincare products, and edibles. However, its legality remains a grey area in places with strict drug laws, including Dubai.

The Legal Status of CBD in Dubai

Drug laws in the UAE are some of the strictest in the world, with a zero-tolerance policy on cannabis and all its derivatives. Even if a product contains only trace amounts of THC — typically less than 0.3% in full-spectrum CBD products — it is still considered illegal.

What’s Legal and What’s Illegal

Illegal:

All forms of CBD — including cbd oils, cbd edibles, cbd topicals, and cbd vape products are strictly prohibited in Dubai.

Legal:

Certain medical cannabis products may be allowed under strict conditions. However, this requires a prescription from a UAE-licensed doctor and approval from health authorities.

Dubai has cracked down heavily on CBD use, particularly vaping. In the first quarter of 2019 alone, nearly 100 people mostly foreigners were arrested for trying to bring CBD oil into the country hidden inside vape pens or e-cigarettes.

Governments worldwide have issued warnings about Dubai’s zero-tolerance drug policies. The UK’s Foreign Office has explicitly cautioned travelers against carrying the smallest trace of a banned substance into the UAE.

CBD is also prohibited in soaps, skincare products, and other personal care items. What’s more, UAE authorities consider the presence of banned substances in your bloodstream as possession, meaning you could be prosecuted even if you consumed CBD before entering the country.

Penalties for Possessing CBD

Possessing CBD in Dubai can lead to severe consequences. Penalties may include:

Fines:

Financial penalties vary depending on the quantity of CBD found. Fines can start at several thousand dirhams and increase significantly based on the circumstances of possession. Larger amounts or repeat offenses can result in much steeper fines.

Imprisonment:

First-time offenders caught with CBD could face up to four years in prison. Repeat offenders or those caught distributing or selling CBD may receive even longer sentences. Those caught with large amounts of cannabis can be imprisoned for ten years or longer.

Deportation:

Foreign nationals caught with CBD may be deported and banned from re-entering the UAE. This can affect future travel plans.

The UAE government conducts thorough checks at all entry points, including airports and border crossings. Customs officials use advanced screening methods, including sniffer dogs, X-ray scanners, and chemical swabs, to detect banned substances.

Medical Use and Exceptions

There are a few exceptions for medical CBD products in the UAE.

For instance, you may qualify for cannabis-based medication if you have a severe medical condition. The most notable example is Epidiolex, an FDA-approved CBD-based drug for specific epilepsy disorders.

If prescribed, you must get the medication through authorized pharmacies in the UAE. Bringing medical cannabis from another country, regardless of a prescription, can still lead to arrest, fines, or deportation.

The Application Process

Under Dubai’s medical cannabis laws, patients must go through a complex approval process. This includes:

Consultation with a licensed physician:

A UAE-approved doctor must evaluate your condition and determine if cannabis-based treatment is necessary.

Documentation:

You need to provide detailed medical records showing why this treatment is required.

Approval from health authorities: The UAE government must review your case and grant permission before you can access the medication.

Getting medical cannabis is complicated. You need to go through extensive paperwork, meet strict requirements, and get approval from health authorities. Many patients struggle with the process, which is why very few people end up using medical cannabis in the UAE.

Travel Advice for CBD Users

If you use CBD regularly, you’ll need to plan ahead when traveling to Dubai. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Leave CBD at Home

The safest option is to avoid bringing any CBD products to Dubai. What’s legal in your home country may be completely banned in the UAE. Check to make sure there’s no residue in your bags, clothing, or personal items.

Consult Your Healthcare Provider

If you use CBD for medical reasons, speak to your doctor about alternative treatments. Your healthcare provider can recommend legal options available in Dubai, such as prescription medications, natural remedies, or over-the-counter supplements that may offer similar benefits.

Research Legal Alternatives

Dubai pharmacies carry approved medications and supplements that help with pain, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Look into what’s available so you can manage your health without breaking any laws.

Review UAE Customs Regulations

Before you travel, check the latest UAE customs rules to avoid carrying restricted substances by mistake. Airport screenings are strict, and customs officers may test personal items for traces of banned drugs.

Avoid CBD in Transit

If you have a layover in Dubai, do not bring CBD with you, even if it stays in your carry-on. UAE authorities apply drug laws to all travelers, including those in transit.

Is CBD Hemp Oil Legal in Dubai?

While hemp seed oil products are legal in Dubai, there are currently no laws regarding the legality of hemp-derived products.

However, although THC-free alternatives like CBD hemp oil contain little-to-no THC, the presence of the letters C-B-D might be enough to bring legal proceedings, and the risk of that far outweighs the benefits.

Conclusion

Dubai’s stance on CBD is clear — it’s completely illegal, and carrying it with you, whether knowingly or unknowingly, can have serious consequences. If you are traveling to Dubai, double-check your belongings to make sure you are not carrying any form of CBD. The risk is simply too high.

If you’re in a country where CBD is legal, always choose brands that prioritize safety and transparency. At Healthy Hemp Oil, our products are sourced from legally grown industrial hemp and contain 0.3% THC or less. Each batch undergoes third-party lab testing to confirm purity and guarantee it’s free from pesticides, mold, and harmful additives.

Browse our selection of legal cannabis products or reach out to learn more today.

Disclaimer: Here at Healthy Hemp Oil, we thoroughly research everything we publish. However, this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information contained here, and elsewhere on our website, is for general informational purposes only. This content may not contain the most recent legal or other information. Please seek appropriate counsel for your own situation.

FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products sold by Healthy Hemp Oil are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on our website is intended to provide general information regarding our products and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. Read more

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Several major alcohol industry participants are backing a new bill in Congress that would exempt hemp beverages from a currently scheduled ban on THC products derived from the plant while enacting new provisions to tax and regulate the cannabis drinks like alcohol.

“Appropriately dosed hemp-derived beverages belong in a regulated adult beverage marketplace, not in a legal gray area,” Dawson Hobbs, executive vice president of government affairs for Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), said in a press release supporting the new Beverage Regulatory Parity Act, introduced on Monday by Reps. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Greg Landsman (D-OH).

“We thank Congresswoman Van Duyne and Congressman Landsman for their leadership advancing a framework that treats these products differently from other hemp products and builds on the alcohol regulatory system’s long record of consumer protection,” he said.

“The conversation has evolved beyond whether hemp-derived beverages should be regulated to how they should be regulated,” Dobbs said. “This legislation moves that conversation forward by following the long record of success in regulating alcohol through a federal and state partnership.”

Hemp derivatives with less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill that President Donald Trump signed during his first term in office. But late last year, the president signed new legislation containing provisions that will redefine hemp to make it so only products with 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will remain legal after November 12.

The Senate over the weekend, however, approved a funding bill that includes a provision to delay the effective date of the hemp product ban until December 11, with the support of the White House. Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) had filed an amendment to strip that language and keep the prohibition on track as scheduled, but the body approved a motion to table the proposal in a vote of 61-32.

Hemp industry supporters believe the delay, if approved by the House and enacted into law, will give them more time to convince Congress to enact regulations for THC products as an alternative to prohibition.

Separately, the Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition (BAMCO)—a coalition of alcohol retailers—also endorsed the new hemp THC drinks bill.

“We applaud Representatives Van Duyne and Landsman for putting forward a regulatory framework for low-dose hemp beverages that aligns interests and addresses consumer demand,” Jonathan Grella, a spokesman for BAMCO, said in a press release.

“Their bill provides a path to a safe, regulated marketplace for low-dose hemp beverages while supporting Congress and the Administration in removing synthetic and inhalable products,” he said. “We look forward to working with Representatives Van Duyne and Landsman to build on the proven safeguards of the beverage alcohol system and get the regulation right.”

BAMCO’s members include Total Wine & More, BevMo! by Gopuff, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Spec’s Wine and Spirits & Finer Foods, as well as a group of hemp product wholesalers.

“This is exactly the kind of serious, bipartisan work needed to move the conversation from prohibition to responsible regulation,” Grella said. “Consumers deserve safe products, parents deserve strong protections for children, and responsible businesses deserve clear, enforceable rules. Our members are ready to be part of the solution.”

Under the new bill, adults over 21 could purchase and consume hemp THC beverages with up to 5 milligrams of total intoxicating THC per serving.

There would be a new federal tax on hemp drinks of 8 cents per milligram of intoxicating THC.

Hemp drinks would be regulated by the Treasury Department’s Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with requirements for testing, packaging, labeling and serving and container sizes.

Legal beverages could only contain naturally-occurring cannabinoids that are cultivated and processed within the U.S.

Manufacturers, wholesales and sellers of hemp drinks would be required to obtain federal permits.

Companies could not sell multi-serving containers larger than 750 milliliters under the legislation.

The legislation further clarifies that states, Indian tribes and localities could set regulations that are “more stringent” than federal rules, but says that they could not prohibit the shipment or transportation of hemp beverages through their borders on the way to other jurisdictions.

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A bipartisan duo of lawmakers have filed a new bill in Congress that would exempt hemp beverages from a currently scheduled ban on THC products derived from the plant.

The legislation’s introductions comes days after the Senate voted to delay the planned recriminalization of hemp, which is intended to give lawmakers more time to craft regulations as an alternative to prohibition.

The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act, from Reps. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Greg Landsman (D-OH), introduced on Monday, would establish a three-tier system for distribution of hemp drinks, similar to the model currently used for alcohol. It would allow adults over 21 to purchase and consume hemp THC beverages with up to 5 milligrams of total intoxicating THC per serving.

A draft version of the hemp drinks legislation obtained earlier this year by Marijuana Moment would have used a more permissive limit that measured delta-9 THC specifically.

Under the bill as introduced, there would be a new federal tax on hemp drinks of 8 cents per milligram of intoxicating THC—a reduction from the 10 cents contemplated in the earlier draft measure.

Hemp drinks would be regulated by the Treasury Department’s Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with requirements for testing, packaging, labeling and serving and container sizes.

“I’ve heard directly from people across North Texas who consume hemp-derived beverages, and businesses who sell them, that they need clarity, not a ban that pushes this market underground,” Van Duyne said in a press release. “The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act brings long-overdue certainty to the industry by regulating these beverages with the same proven structure that has successfully governed alcohol for decades.”

“I am glad to introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Rep. Greg Landsman, because American families and responsible businesses deserve structure and sensible regulations that protect children while allowing adults to choose beverages they prefer,” she said.

Landsman, for his part, said that “there are people all over Southwest Ohio who have invested significantly in these products, and they’ve done so safely.”

“Now the federal government is telling them they can’t sell these products anymore,” he said. “Our bill is bipartisan and very straightforward. It will keep people safe and let these folks stay in business.”

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Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

Learn more about our marijuana bill tracker and become a supporter on Patreon to get access.
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Under the new bill, legal beverages could only contain naturally-occurring cannabinoids that are cultivated and processed within the U.S.

Manufactures, wholesales and sellers of hemp drinks would be required to obtain federal permits.

Companies could not sell multi-serving containers larger than 750 milliliters under the legislation.

The legislation further clarifies that states, Indian tribes and localities could set regulations that are “more stringent” than federal rules, but says that they could not prohibit the shipment or transportation of hemp beverages through their borders on the way to other jurisdictions.

Hemp derivatives with less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill that President Donald Trump signed during his first term in office. But late last year, the president signed new legislation containing provisions that will redefine hemp to make it so only products with 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will remain legal after November 12.

The Senate over the weekend, however, approved a funding bill that includes a provision to delay the effective date of the ban until December 11. Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) had filed an amendment to strip that language and keep the prohibition on track as scheduled, but the body approved a motion to table the proposal from Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in a vote of 61-32.

The House of Representatives, which previously passed a separate funding bill that does not include language to extend the hemp ban’s effective date, is scheduled to return from its recess on August 31.

The new hemp drinks bill is being supported by some members of the alcohol industry.

“For nearly a century, the alcohol regulatory system has kept consumers safe while giving legitimate businesses clear rules to operate under. Rep. Van Duyne’s bill extends that same proven framework to hemp-derived beverages,” Dawson Hobbs, executive vice president of government affairs forWine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), said. “WSWA is proud to support this legislation and thanks the congresswoman for her leadership in addressing products that have grown in popularity and are already on store shelves. We urge Congress to act before the November 12 deadline eliminates responsible options from the marketplace entirely.”

Total Wine & More said the bill “brings low-dose hemp-infused beverages into the same three-tier system that has safely regulated beer, wine and spirits for decades.”

“This framework, with licensed manufacturers, distributors and retailers, along with age verification, testing and labeling standards, is a smart way to protect consumers while giving responsible businesses certainty,” the company said.

John Bodnovich, executive director of American Beverage Licensees, said the legislation is a “thoughtful and serious approach to regulating hemp beverages in the United States.”

“Licensed beverage retailers have been consistent in calling for a safe, well-regulated, and accountable marketplace for hemp beverages, just as they have supported the effective system of state-based alcohol regulation that promotes public safety and responsibility while meeting consumer needs,” he said.

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A coalition of alcohol retailers are cheering Senate leaders’ inclusion of provisions in a key funding bill to delay the planned federal recriminalization of hemp THC products—saying it provides industry supporters with more time to convince Congress to “establish a responsible federal framework for low-dose hemp-derived THC beverages.”

“We commend the Senate, the White House and congressional leadership for their commitment to finding a consumer-focused solution,” Jonathan Grella, a spokesperson for the Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition (BAMCO), said in a press relase. “The Senate continuing resolution creates an important opportunity to achieve meaningful hemp regulation.”

“While significant work remains, BAMCO is committed to working with policymakers to establish smart, safe regulation for low-dose hemp beverages that protects consumers and provides long-term regulatory certainty,” he said.

BAMCO’s members include Total Wine & More, BevMo! by Gopuff, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Spec’s Wine and Spirits & Finer Foods, as well as a group of hemp product wholesalers.

Hemp derivatives with less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis were federally legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill that President Donald Trump signed during his first term in office. But late last year, the president signed new legislation containing provisions that will redefine hemp to make it so only products with 0.4 milligrams of total THC per container will remain legal after November 12.

On Sunday, leaders of the Senate Appropriations Committee released the text of a continuing resolution to extend funding for federal agencies through December 11, past the end of the current fiscal year on September 30.

Included in the legislation are provisions that will also delay the planned prohibition on most hemp products until December 11—although there is a carve-out that will allow the immediately recriminalization on November 12 of synthetic cannabinoids “that are not capable of being naturally produced by a Cannabis sativa L. plant.”

BAMCO supports incorporating hemp THC drinks into the existing three-tier system for alcoholic beverages, along with new requirements for testing, labeling, marketing and taxation in tandem with flexibility for state regulations.

“For too long, policymakers have been faced with a false choice between an unregulated marketplace and prohibition,” the group said on Monday following the release of the Senate proposal. “BAMCO has consistently advocated for a smarter path—one that protects consumers, preserves adult access to compliant low-dose hemp beverages, and provides states and responsible businesses with a clear, durable regulatory framework.”

Grella, the group’s spokesperson, said that “responsible retailers have earned the public’s trust by safely selling age-restricted products for generations.”

“Low-dose hemp beverages belong in that proven system, where consumers can have confidence that products are sold responsibly under clear and enforceable rules.,” he said.

Other alcohol industry groups such as Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America have also backed regulating hemp products instead of prohibiting them.

Last month, the House of Representatives passed its own version of a continuing resolution to keep federal agencies funded into December, but it did not have any provisions to alter the planned hemp product ban. As such, if the Senate passes its new provision it would then still need approval by the other chamber before being sent to the president.

Meanwhile, a number of lawmakers from both chambers and both parties have filed or are circulating a growing number of bills to prevent the scheduled federal recriminalization of hemp THC drinks and other products later this year. Until now, none of those proposals have gained traction with congressional leaders.

For example, Rep. James Comer (R-KY), who chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is circulating legislation that would delay a planned federal ban on hemp THC products and institute some regulations—including packaging requirements, testing rules and age limits.

Separately, Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), filed a lengthier proposal to prevent the federal recriminalization of hemp THC products and put in place a number of regulations for manufacturing, labeling, sales and taxation of hemp-derived products, including an age limit of 21.

A press release from the congressman’s office claimed that the White House supports the legislation, which is cosponsored by Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), but the administration has not specifically endorsed it despite generally calling for hemp regulations and backing a prior similar amendment filed by Barr.

Trump and White House officials have in recent weeks repeatedly pressed Congress to delay, alter or reverse the ban.

In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) last month, for example, White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought said the Trump administration wants lawmakers to “ensure the fair treatment of hemp products”—specifically citing Barr’s earlier amendment to keep many hemp products legal while adding regulations and taxes.

The administration “welcomes the opportunity to work with the Congress to, at a minimum, update the statutory definition of final hemp-derived cannabinoid products to allow Americans to benefit from access to appropriate full-spectrum CBD products,” OMB separately said last month, “while preserving the Congress’s intent to restrict the sale of products that pose serious health risks.”

Also in April, the president himself urged congressional lawmakers to again redefine hemp to avoid recriminalization of full-spectrum CBD products.

“I am calling on Congress to update the Law to ensure that Americans can continue to access the full-spectrum CBD products they have come to rely on, and that help them, while preserving Congress’s intent to restrict the sale of products that pose Health risks,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

“We must get this done RIGHT and FAST, especially for those who saw that CBD helps them,” he said. “Plus, I am told it will also help our GREAT FARMERS, who we love, and will always be there for.”

Industry advocates say that the law as enacted last year not only threatens to prohibit intoxicating and synthetic cannabinoid products but also stands to remove popular full-spectrum CBD products that many Americans use therapeutically from the market.

“ONE in FIVE adults used it in the past year, and many say it improved their chronic pain enormously,” the president said in his social media post, adding that hemp-derived CBD “has made a HUGE difference for so many people.”

He also referenced a new initiative the administration launched in April to cover up to $500 worth of hemp-derived products each year for eligible Medicare patients. The program being implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) focuses largely on CBD but also allows products to have up to 3 milligrams of total THC per serving. A federal judge granted the government’s motion to dismiss marijuana legalization opponents’ lawsuit challenging the initiative, but that is being appealed.

“In December, I signed a very important Executive Order calling for Research and Innovation for Hemp-derived CBD,” Trump said. “Our wonderful Dr. Mehmet Oz moved fast to follow the directive in the Executive Order, and launched a model for some Seniors earlier this month. But more must be done!”

“Please get it done, and SOON,” the president said in reference to a congressional fix for the broad recriminalization set to take effect in November. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), an alcohol industry trade association issued praise for Barr’s bipartisan hemp regulation bill, but said the measure’s tax provisions require “continued discussion.”

Hemp policy observers expect to see a Senate companion bill to Barr’s proposal filed soon, likely from Sens. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

Sheehy recently cited hemp legislation as an area where Republicans and Democrats can work together in an otherwise “hyperpartisan time.”

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Marijuana Moment is tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelics and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters pledging at least $25/month get access to our interactive maps, charts and hearing calendar so they don’t miss any developments.

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Meanwhile, a new poll from NuggMD found that most cannabis consumers say that state-level hemp product bans that lawmakers are enacting in line with the planned federal recriminalization move are causing them to shift their purchases toward licensed marijuana businesses.

The National Restaurant Association recently sent a letter urging congressional leaders to delay the federal recriminalization of hemp THC beverages and replace it with a regulatory framework that “ensures consumer safety while meeting growing market demand” for the products as an alternative to alcohol.

Major retailer Target, meanwhile, recently moved to expand its sales of hemp THC drinks into more states.

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