Cannabis

Dad Grass was crowned the champion of New Beverage Showdown 31, joining an elite cohort of well-known beverage brands such as Health-Ade and Poppi that have previously claimed victory in the bi-annual pitch competition.

Day Two of BevNET Live Summer 2026 featured more insights from venture capital investors, entrepreneurs, embracing AI in branding strategies and deep dives into the relaxation and intoxicating hemp drink categories.

JuneShine Brands isn’t stressing about November’s federal ban on hemp-derived THC products, which could wipe out its fast-growing Willie’s Remedy+ brand.

Facing an ever-increasing likelihood that hemp THC beverages will be outlawed this fall, Nowadays is preparing for the long-run with its latest innovation: Nowadays Extra Light, a low-dose RTD line designed to be compliant with the upcoming regulatory requirements by using just 0.4 mg of THC and 5 mg of CBD per 12 oz. can.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) proposed legislation last week that would allow states to respectively determine the future of hemp-based product sales within their own borders.

Wisconsin’s Eagle Park Brewing & Distilling has acquired SoulBoxer Cocktail Co., setting the stage for Eagle Park’s further expansion into canned cocktails spanning alcoholic, non-alcoholic and THC-infused formats.

If there’s a stay of execution, it’ll probably be at the last minute. That’s what hemp lobbyists and industry groups are starting to believe about the potential for a reprieve from the upcoming November 12 THC ban, according to the Coalition for Adult Beverage Alternatives (CABA).

As Congress’s November deadline ticks closer for intoxicating hemp beverage makers, states are not waiting to pass their own regulations on if and where THC drinks can be sold.

New York may allow licensed alcohol retailers to sell THC-infused drinks if a new measure introduced in the State Legislature earlier this week gains passage.

The future of hemp beverages remains in flux as potential legislative bills circulate on Capitol Hill, but for suppliers and distributors in the space, keeping up with demand has been business as usual. Almost.

While some intoxicating hemp brands are positioning themselves as alcohol alternatives, one early adopter of alcohol-free spirits is joining the fray from the opposite direction.

The impending federal ban of hemp-derived THC products continues to loom over the emerging beverage category, but that isn’t deterring investors from capitalizing on the “generational opportunity” to get in, should the law change.

Hemp THC drink makers RYTHM and Señorita have each inked multi-year agreements with the United Center in Chicago.

An influential group of beverage-alcohol retailers and distributors are supporting legislative efforts to keep hemp-infused beverages alive despite their prohibition, slated to take effect in November 2026.