WSWA Calls for Cannabis Regulation Amid Proposed Hemp Product Ban
Washington, D.C. – The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) has reiterated its call for federal regulation of cannabis using the established alcohol regulatory framework. This response comes in light of a bipartisan amendment to the Farm Bill aiming to ban intoxicating hemp products from the market. The WSWA emphasizes that prohibition is not the solution to managing the hemp and cannabis markets.
“Now is the time for federal regulation – not prohibition,” stated WSWA president and CEO Francis Creighton. “Lawmakers need not look too far back in history to learn from the beverage alcohol marketplace and know, without a doubt, that prohibition isn’t the answer. Congress should be focused on protecting public safety and empowering states to regulate the sale of these products – just as federal regulations for alcohol have done for 90-plus years.”
Proposed Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products
The proposed amendment seeks to exclude intoxicating hemp products from the definition of legal hemp. If passed, this could lead to the removal of such products from shelves nationwide. The WSWA supports regulation over prohibition, advocating for a structured approach similar to that used in the alcohol industry.
In March 2021, the WSWA proposed a regulatory framework for the legal sale of cannabis in the U.S. This framework includes:
Federal permitting of cannabis producers, importers, testing facilities, and distributors.
Federal approval and regulation of cannabis products and product labels.
Efficient and effective collection of federal excise tax.
Measures to ensure public safety.
Learning from Alcohol Regulation
The WSWA argues that the alcohol regulatory system has successfully managed public safety and taxation for over 90 years, providing a model that could be adapted for cannabis. The organization believes this system can similarly ensure the safe distribution and consumption of cannabis products.
Bringing the Conversation Forward
WSWA executive vice-president of government affairs Dawson Hobbs noted the significance of the recent amendment. “We’ve just completed the first lap of a long-distance race. There are a lot of mileposts along the way where this can be changed. One of the benefits of this amendment is that it brought the conversation to the forefront.”
By advocating for regulation instead of prohibition, the WSWA aims to steer the national conversation towards a pragmatic approach to cannabis legalization, emphasizing public safety and state empowerment.