Alcohol Trade Group Welcomes Hemp-Derived THC Beverage Maker as First in Category

WASHINGTON – The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), a key advocacy organization for the beverage alcohol distribution sector, has accepted CannaBuzz, a Kentucky-based producer of hemp-derived THC drinks, as its inaugural associate member in the THC beverage category. The move, detailed in a company announcement last week, underscores efforts to integrate regulated cannabinoid products into established supply chains.

Cannabuzz offers low-dose ready-to-drink options, packing THC alongside CBD. The company’s entry comes at a moment when hemp-derived beverages are threading their way into traditional distribution channels, even as federal and state rules remain a patchwork.

WSWA, representing more than 380 distributor firms nationwide, has advocated for federal oversight of these items, favoring testing, labeling standards, and state-level retail controls over blanket prohibitions on synthetics. The group recently lobbied Congress to preserve access to natural cannabinoids while targeting synthetic variants.

“We’re proud to be the first THC brand to join WSWA’s THC beverage category,” said Annie Rouse, Cannabuzz CEO and founder. “Our goal isn’t just to sell drinks—it’s to help retailers, distributors, and regulators align on simple guardrails that protect consumers and give stores confidence to stock the category.”

This addition highlights a strategic bridge between legacy alcohol channels and emerging cannabinoid markets. Spirits volumes dropped 6% in the second quarter of 2025, according to WSWA’s SipSource report, prompting distributors to explore compliant alternatives like hemp-derived drinks. THC-infused beverage sales surpassed $1 billion nationwide in 2024, with analysts forecasting sharp increases through 2026 as brands refine formulations and distribution.

Yet the move isn’t without friction. At least 15 states have tightened restrictions on intoxicating hemp sales this year, citing potency risks and youth access, which could crimp national scaling. Cannabis advocates worry that alcohol groups might prioritize hemp loopholes over pushing for full Cannabis rescheduling.

Meanwhile, CannaBuzz gains from WSWA’s policy muscle [access to Capitol Hill lobbying and best-practice templates on labeling and age verification], potentially smoothing entry into liquor stores nationwide.

For now, this membership signals a pragmatic truce. Alcohol wholesalers get a fresh revenue stream without upending their core business, while hemp-derived THC makers tap established networks. As one veteran distributor put it off the record, it’s less about revolution than adaptation to turn regulatory gray areas into green opportunities. Whether this fosters broader industry convergence or sparks turf wars will depend on how Washington sorts the hemp tangle by year’s end.