The Beer Institute, a prominent trade organization representing American brewers and beer importers, has issued new guiding principles addressing what it calls the “proliferation of largely unregulated intoxicating hemp and cannabis products.” The group warns of potential risks to consumers and communities from THC consumption, advocating for stricter regulations to mitigate these dangers.
Among its recommendations, the Beer Institute calls for a “zero tolerance approach” to THC and driving, citing concerns about impaired driving. However, critics argue that such a policy could unjustly penalize casual cannabis users, as THC metabolites can remain detectable in the body for extended periods without indicating impairment.
The organization also emphasizes maintaining the federal ban on combining alcohol with intoxicating cannabinoids. It advocates against co-locating the sale of alcohol and cannabis products in the same retail spaces and proposes a federal excise tax on hemp and cannabis products. The suggested tax rate would exceed the highest rate currently applied to alcoholic beverages, a move the Beer Institute claims would enhance consumer safety and accountability.
“For decades, America’s brewers and beer importers have demonstrated their commitment to fostering a culture of moderation and the responsible consumption of our products, all within a robust regulatory and taxation system,” said Brian Crawford, president and CEO of the Beer Institute. “The current patchwork of intoxicating hemp and cannabis laws and regulations does not meet the same standards to which the beer industry willingly adheres.”
The group refrains from taking a position on the broader legalization of cannabis, stating that such decisions should be left to voters and lawmakers. Instead, it highlights the need for consistent regulatory frameworks to ensure consumer safety, responsible marketing, and adequate labeling of cannabis products.
The Beer Institute’s recommendations come amid growing debates over cannabis legalization and regulation in the U.S., where hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 THC have emerged as contentious products. While alcohol sales have faced challenges from increasing cannabis use, research continues to show significant differences in harm and impairment risks between the two substances.
The group’s call for stricter cannabis regulation aims to align intoxicating hemp products with the rigorous standards long applied to the beer industry.
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