BAMCO Welcomes Extension as Opportunity to Work with Congress on Responsible , Enforceable Hemp Beverage Regulation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2026

Contact: Jonathan Grella
jag@jagpublicaffairs.com

WASHINGTON — The Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition (BAMCO) today thanked the White House and members of the U.S. Senate for Saturday’s action providing Congress additional time to establish effective federal regulation of low-dose, hemp-derived THC products. BAMCO is committed to working with Congress to establish an enforceable regulatory framework for hemp-derived THC beverages that puts product and consumer safety first.

“Consumer safety is at the core of BAMCO and the starting point for everything we are advocating for,” said Jonathan Grella, spokesperson for BAMCO. “We agree with Congress that low dose hemp-derived THC products need clear, enforceable rules that protect consumers and keep harmful products and bad actors out of the marketplace. For low dose hemp-derived THC beverages, we have an opportunity to build on proven safeguards from the beverage alcohol system. For products that cannot be responsibly regulated within such a framework—particularly inhalables and synthetics—we agree with Congress that they should be prohibited.”

BAMCO believes proven safeguards within the existing beverage alcohol system can provide a strong foundation for regulating hemp beverages, protecting consumers and keeping harmful products and bad actors out of the marketplace and away from minors.

BAMCO supports a federal framework that restricts sales to adults, requires rigorous testing and clear labeling, and establishes strong standards for marketing, distribution and retail sales. BAMCO’s members already operate within the highly regulated three-tier beverage alcohol system, with a proven track record of age verification, accountability and responsible retailing.

“Congress has taken an important step in the right direction, but there is still significant work to be done, and our members can be part of the solution,” Grella said. “By building on the proven safeguards used by the alcohol industry for age-restricted products, Congress can establish clear, enforceable standards that protect consumers nationwide.”

About BAMCO

The Beverage Alcohol Merchants Coalition (BAMCO) is a coalition of leading beverage alcohol retailers—including Total Wine & More, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods, and BevMo! by Gopuff—along with a broad group of compliant hemp beverage wholesalers. Together, BAMCO members represent a modern, regulated network that safely and responsibly sells age-restricted products across the United States.

BAMCO advocates exclusively for the responsible federal regulation of low-dose hemp-derived THC beverages through the proven beverage alcohol system.

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