WSWA Steps Up Its Push For Federal Cannabis Legalization
April 11, 2023The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) continues to amp up its support for federal cannabis legalization. Speaking at WSWA’s Access Live event in Florida last week, WSWA chairman Tom Cole issued a call to action to the beverage industry, asking drinks business players to advocate for federal cannabis legalization using the principles of federal alcohol regulation. Cole continued the organization’s vocal push for federal legalization, a position publicly held for years but recently reiterated and updated.
“The beverage alcohol industry’s commitment to public health and safety is something that sets us apart from other consumer products,” Cole said. “We believe that the successful state-based regulatory model which has served America’s consumers and our industry so well should be a part of the discussion. I call upon my industry colleagues to support our efforts and to lend your voice and experience to the conversations happening on Capitol Hill.”
WSWA recently 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.
Cole’s remarks were echoed by WSWA president and CEO Francis Creighton later at the event. “I think we can all agree that the federal government’s inaction on cannabis isn’t working for anyone—consumers and non-consumers,” he said. “People don’t know, and often shouldn’t trust, that what they are putting into their bodies isn’t tainted product—because there is no federal standard for testing. Consumers don’t know what the potency is—there is no standard for accuracy and no regulator at the federal level to ensure accurate labeling for dosing.”
Nearly half of U.S. states have legalized recreational cannabis and 38 have implemented medical marijuana programs despite its continuing prohibition at the federal level.—Danny Sullivan
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