U.S. Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) and Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) introduced the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act. The bill gives Congress a targeted framework that protects children, provides regulatory certainty and allows responsible hemp beverage companies to operate under clear standards.
A federal deadline set to take effect November 12, 2026, threatens to all but eliminate the legal marketplace for hemp-derived beverages. The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act offers a targeted alternative, by establishing a three-tier distribution system along with labeling, advertising, and trade-practice rules that have governed alcohol for nearly a century.
“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,” said Van Duyne in a statement. “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.”
“There are people all over Southwest Ohio who have invested significantly in these products, and they’ve done so safely,” said Landsman in a statement. “Now the federal government is telling them they can’t sell these products anymore. Our bill is bipartisan and very straightforward. It will keep people safe and let these folks stay in business.”
The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act:
- Establishes a three-tier distribution system for hemp-derived beverages that mirrors the alcohol model.
- Protects children by putting labeling and advertising rules in place – prohibiting any labels, graphics, or ads designed to appeal to kids.
- Protects states’ rights ensuring nothing in the bill stops any state from adding its own rules or prohibiting hemp-derived beverages completely.
- Imposes a nationwide 21-and-over standard, mandatory testing, TTB permits, strict THC limits and detailed risk warnings.
- Bans synthetically derived cannabinoids to ensure only natural plant-based compounds end up in these beverages eliminating any unpredictable lab-made substances.
- Institutes a straightforward federal excise tax, similar to alcohol, on each milligram of intoxicating THC in a hemp-derived beverage
Retailer Total Wine & More and the Hemp Beverage Alliance both voice support for the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act.
"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. We thank Representatives Van Duyne and Landsman for their leadership and urge Congress to act quickly to pass this legislation," said a Total Wine & More spokesperson.
“The Hemp Beverage Alliance strongly supports the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act,” said Christopher Lackner, founder and president, Hemp Beverage Alliance. "The alcohol regulatory system is a proven success that consumers trust. The three-tier system will protect public health, require strong product testing and quality control, ensure products are kept away from children, and allow responsible adults to enjoy hemp beverages as they would any other adult beverage," said a Hemp Beverage Alliance spokesperson.
