Washington, D.C. – Today, 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 Rep. Van Duyne. “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 Rep. Landsman. “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.” 

“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. 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.” – Dawson Hobbs, EVP of Government Affairs, WSWA (Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America)

“The Texas Package Stores Association applauds Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne for taking a strong, common-sense approach to regulating hemp-derived beverages—one that protects children while preserving the freedom of adults to make responsible choices,” said Lance Lively, Executive Director of the Texas Package Stores Association. “Congresswoman Van Duyne understands that personal freedom and personal responsibility go hand in hand, and that a strong, regulated marketplace is the best way to keep intoxicating products out of the hands of children while ensuring responsible adults have access to legal products.”

“The Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives has long called for one thing: regulate low-dose hemp beverages like alcohol. The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act is delivering on that ask, and we are proud to stand firmly behind it. From trade practices to dosage limitations to taxation, this legislation moves us toward the parity our industry needs and deserves. Most critically, the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act codifies the three-tier system for hemp beverages, the same framework that has made the United States alcohol regulatory model the safest in the world. This structure works because it creates accountability at every level of the supply chain, ensures regulation through chain of custody, and keeps products out of the hands of minors. We commend Congresswoman Van Duyne and Congressman Landsman for introducing this legislation, which establishes sensible regulation that prioritizes consumer protection and safe access.” – Diana Eberlein, Chair, Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives

“As a United States Marine Corps veteran and Founder of the American Alternative Care Policy Network, I commend Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne for her leadership in supporting responsible federal policy for consumable hemp beverages. Veterans deserve access to safe, legal, and responsibly regulated wellness options. Clear standards for testing, labeling, and consumer protection can safeguard the public while preserving the ability of veterans and other Americans to make informed choices about their own wellness. AACPN supports Congresswoman Van Duyne’s efforts to establish a balanced federal framework that protects consumers, preserves responsible access, and ensures veterans remain part of this important policy conversation.” – Adrian Bruneau, Founder, American Alternative Care Policy Network (AACPN) | U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

“Total Wine & More applauds Representatives Beth Van Duyne and Greg Landsman for introducing the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act, which 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. We thank Representatives Van Duyne and Landsman for their leadership and urge Congress to act quickly to pass this legislation.” – Total Wine & More

“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.”

“The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act is a thoughtful and serious approach to regulating hemp beverages in the United States,” said John Bodnovich, Executive Director of American Beverage Licensees. “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. We applaud Representatives Van Duyne and Landsman for their bipartisan leadership and their work to develop this important legislation.”

“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,” said Jonathan Grella, spokesperson for BAMCO. “Their bill provides a path to a safe, regulated marketplace for low-dose hemp beverages while removing the synthetic and inhalable products that have raised serious concerns. 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.”

What the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act Does:

• Establishes a clear three-tier distribution system for hemp-derived beverages that mirrors the long-proven alcohol model. This structure aims to keep the market orderly and accountable from production all the way to the store shelf.

• Protects children by putting strong 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 their 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

This bill establishes responsible federal rules that keep these products out of the hands of minors, while ensuring fair competition, and allowing the states to maintain full control of their own laws.

The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act is supported by: Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition (BAMCO), Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), Texas Package Stores Association (TPSA), Specs Wine, Spirits & Fine Foods, Coalition of Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA), Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA), American Alternative Care Policy Network (AACPN), Total Wine & More, American Beverage Licensees (ABL), Beverage Wholesalers for Responsible Regulation (BWRR), and Texas Food & Fuel Association.

EXCLUSIVE: Politico first reported on this story. Read that story HERE.

Click HERE to read the full bill text.

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