WSWA Amps Up Support For Cannabis Legalization

The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) reaffirmed its support for federal cannabis legalization and regulation and its commitment to advocating for a model based on beverage alcohol regulation. Yesterday, WSWA president and CEO Francis Creighton shared a letter with Congress presenting the organization’s ideas about a comprehensive federal framework and warned that the current “piecemeal manner” of legalization leaves important issues like product safety, trade practices, and interstate sales unaddressed.

“The time has come for Congress to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis at the federal level,” said Creighton. “The success of our alcohol regulatory system offers a proven model for cannabis regulation, one that will promote public health and safety as well as a fair and competitive marketplace.”

WSWA also updated its four principles for creating an effective regulatory framework, based on the system that has governed alcohol since the repeal of Prohibition. First released in 2021, they are: the federal permitting of cannabis producers, importers, testing facilities, and distributors; the federal approval and regulation of cannabis products and product labels; the efficient and effective collection of federal excise tax; and effective federal measures to ensure public safety.

“States have successfully regulated the alcohol market for their citizens for nearly 90 years—they should retain the authority to regulate cannabis in the manner that best suits their local needs, including being able to choose not to legalize the product in their state,” said Creighton. “Federal regulation of cannabis should focus on issues of public health and safety and interstate commerce, such as standard potency measurements, labeling and marketing guidelines, the licensing of producers, testing facilities and distributors, collecting excise taxes, and properly funding impaired driving prevention and enforcement.” WSWA says it’s actively briefing members of Congress on the importance of a strong regulatory structure for federal cannabis legalization and how the alcohol market provides a successful model.—Danny Sullivan

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