Cannabis News
Beer Industry Trade Group Calls Out Hemp THC Sector’s ‘Bad Actors’ For Allegedly Marketing To Children
“You’ll never see a beer ad featuring Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.”
The US beer industry is targeting makers of THC-infused drinks and edibles in a campaign that could have repercussions in Minnesota, the state that sparked a national explosion in sales of hemp-derived beverages.
The beer industry, which has seen declining sales — especially among younger consumers — has joined the marijuana industry. in seeking federal rule of THC-infused beverages, currently regulated only by state laws.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D) recently shocked the hemp and THC beverage industries when he signed a letter to Congressional leaders with 38 other state attorneys general asking Congress to clarify the federal definition of hemp.
the letter said that “bad actors” have taken advantage of a “loophole” in the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed the sale of potent, unregulated THC products that pose a threat to the general public and children in particular.
“Unless Congress acts, this gross distortion of the hemp provision in the 2018 Farm Bill will continue to fuel the rapid growth of an underserved industry that threatens public health and safety and undermines law enforcement nationwide,” the letter said.
At a recent Semafor-sponsored conference, Brian Crawford, CEO of the Beer Institute, a trade association that advocates for the industry, said beer is heavily regulated by federal agencies. He said brewers are subject to marketing, advertising and labeling regulations and must seek federal approval for their formulas.
Age restrictions are also strictly enforced, Crawford said, and the sale of beer to those under 21 is prohibited.
However, Crawford said there are no federal restrictions on THC-infused products. He said these “bad actors” in the THC drink and gummy industries are packaging and marketing products that appeal to children, including THC Nerd candies, which are ultra-high-potency THC edibles.
“You’ll never see a beer ad featuring Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny,” Crawford said.
“Natural Social Tonic”
An amendment passed in the House Agriculture Committee last year as a major Farm Bill consideration would change the federal definition of legal hemp to include only “natural, derived and non-intoxicating cannabinoids.”
This means that any cannabinoid manufactured outside of the hemp plant would be outlawed, criminalizing the production of hemp-based gummies, drinks and other edibles, as well as oils, soaps and other products made from hemp.
A Minnesota state law passed in 2022 allows the production and consumption of hemp-based edibles and other products. But the now stalled House Farm Bill’s hemp amendment would make these products illegal under federal law.
The partisan gridlock in Congress has made it unlikely that there would be a new Farm Bill this year. So the fight against THC-infused products has shifted to the agriculture spending bill, which Congress is likely to pass once the federal shutdown ends.
Jake Bullock, the maker of Cann THC drinks, which are marketed as “all natural social tonics,” said he joins Ellison and other state attorneys general in defending rules that prevent “bad actors” from making highly potent synthetic products and marketing THC-infused products to children.
But he also said overly broad regulations would hurt the $30 billion industry, which employs 330,000 Americans.
“We would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater,” Cann told MinnPost.
Cann’s success represents exponential growth in the multi-billion dollar market for hemp-derived intoxicants.
Bullock said he started his business in Venice Beach, California, and then produced his drinks in Minnesota after the state passed a law allowing the sale of hemp-infused products.
Today, it sells its beverages in about 30 states and Cann products can be found in many liquor stores and other outlets in Minnesota. It recently joined Target.
“The reason consumers like the products is that they work like alcohol,” Bullock said. “If you like it, you can have another one an hour later.”
Bullock said drinking several cans of Cann can be intoxicating, but there is no hangover. He also said that many drinkers have reduced their alcohol consumption in favor of his drinks.
Bullock also said Gen Z favors their drink over alcohol because they socialize differently than older Americans and are less likely to spend money at bars.
The need to address “bad actors”.
The potency of a THC infused drink depends on how many milligrams of THC the product contains. State laws vary. In Minnesota, it is limited to no more than 10 milligrams. Other states are stricter. Virginia and Connecticut cover it at 2 milligrams.
However, Crawford said “bad actors” make drinks with as much as 200 milligrams of THC “in a 12-ounce can.”
“That needs to be addressed,” he said.
Bullock, who also spoke at the Semafor event, told MinnPost that he would support lowering the THC level nationally to about 5 milligrams. He said eliminating synthetic THC was also fine, along with eliminating lab-made chemicals designed to mimic the effects of delta-9 THC, the main psychoactive compound in natural cannabis.
He said he believes Ellison has been “misled” into signing a letter asking Congress to “act decisively in the (2018) Farm Bill to clarify the definition of hemp to ensure that intoxicating THC products are taken off the market.”
Analysts say that would kill Minnesota’s market for THC-infused beverages and edibles.
Ellison attempted to clarify his position in a headline statement “Protecting Minnesota’s THC Industry”. In it, Ellison said he did no He wants a ban on all THC-infused products, but has sought federal regulations “to help out-of-state companies ignore Minnesota’s carefully crafted THC rules and sell harmful products in our state.”
“Minnesota’s legalization of edible THC was smart and safety-conscious, and unfortunately the loophole created by the federal government is anything but,” Ellison wrote. “As a result, there are very strong THC products coming into Minnesota that are marketed to children, and I’m not going to stop out-of-state businesses from preying on young Minnesotans.”
However, public comments on the attorney general’s statement indicated that the letter he signed would also ban intoxicating THC-infused products and outlaw a lucrative industry in Minnesota.
“The letter you signed explicitly calls for a ‘ban on products with intoxicating levels of THC, of any kind and no matter how it’s derived,'” wrote one commenter. Your letter would undo all the good work done by Minnesota lawmakers over the past five years, recriminalize access to THC for people who want to get over alcohol, and crack down on one of the few brewers.
While the beer industry may seek a crackdown on THC beverages, small brewers, facing a shrinking market, are increasingly getting involved in the hemp beverage market by creating alcohol-free THC-infused beverages.
Meanwhile, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, is asking Congress to delay any changes for 18 months in order to conduct a comprehensive study on the best ways to regulate the hemp industry.
It’s unclear how Paul’s congressional colleagues will respond.
This the article appeared for the first time MinnPost and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 4.0 International License.
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The South African Department of Agriculture has announced that the Plant Improvement Act 2018 (Act 11 of 2018) and accompanying regulations came into force on 1 December 2025. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the proclamation of the new Act after Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen approved the regulations. The Act replaces the Plant Improvement Act 1976 (Act 53 of 1976). Both the proclamation and its regulations were published in Official Gazette 53707 of November 21, 2025.
The updated legislation establishes systems for the registration of businesses related to plants and propagating materials for cultivation and sale, as well as the registration of the premises where these businesses operate. It also establishes quality standards for plants and propagating material, determines sales conditions and establishes a national list of plant varieties. The law includes processes for evaluating plant varieties when there is uncertainty about their value for cultivation and use, and strengthens import and export control of plants and propagating material. Certification schemes for plants and propagating material are also part of the framework.
The 2018 Act introduces new provisions that were not included in the 1976 Act. These additions include the registration of businesses related to plants and propagating material, along with new rules for the cultivation of Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) varieties in South Africa. The revised definition now classifies hemp as a low tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) plant or plant part containing no more than 2 percent transdelta 9 THC, a change from the previous limit of 0.2 percent. The Act also provides for the publication of a Gazette of the National List of Varieties and specifies the process for hearing claims submitted to the Registry in connection with applications for the National List of Plant Varieties. In addition, the Law establishes an advisory committee that can assist the Registry in technical or administrative matters related to its implementation.
According to the department, the Plant Improvement Act creates a legal framework for the production and sale of high-quality seeds and vegetative propagation material. This framework supports the productivity and long-term sustainability of food production in South Africa.
Source: South African Government News Agency
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During winter clean-ups, greenhouse operators prepare facilities for the next production cycle, with hygiene remaining a critical focus. Effective sanitation during crop transition plays a key role in reducing pathogen pressure and promoting long-term crop health, particularly in operations that manage virus risks such as Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).
Disinfectants commonly included in greenhouse hygiene programs include Intra Multi Des GA, supplied in North America by Houweling Americas. “This product is widely used by vegetable and ornamental growers as part of comprehensive cleaning and routine sanitation strategies, especially where deep penetration is required on complex surfaces,” says the Houweling Americas team.
© Houweling Americas
Getting under the surface
Biofilms and organic debris continue to limit the effectiveness of many disinfectants, harboring microorganisms in cracks, crevices, and porous materials. According to the Multi Des GA technical team, the formulation is designed to address this challenge through penetration rather than surface activity.
“Intra Multi Des GA has five active ingredients that work together to provide strong penetration properties, allowing the product to reach microorganisms hiding in difficult access areas,” the team explained. While not positioned as a dedicated biofilm remover, the formulation is intended to reveal and eliminate pathogens sheltered beneath biofilm layers.
For best results, a two-step sanitation approach is recommended: deep cleaning to remove organic matter and biofilm, followed by disinfection. “Skip the cleaning step increases the risk of completely eliminating pathogens,” the team noted, highlighting the continued opportunity for farmer education around proper hygiene sequencing.
The role of cleaning before disinfection
As part of the Intracare product portfolio, Houweling Americas also supplies Intra Foam Organics, a cleaner designed to remove organic material prior to disinfection. Organic debris can significantly reduce disinfectant performance if not completely removed, especially on high-traffic or porous surfaces. When used as a first step, cleaners like Intra Foam Organics help ensure that disinfectants can come into direct contact with target pathogens.
Performance on porous and uneven surfaces
Concrete floors, block walls and other porous greenhouse materials remain among the most difficult areas to sanitize. According to internal tests, Intra Multi Des GA works reliably on these surfaces, moving into the micro-cracks where pathogens can persist.
“When applied to porous materials such as concrete blocks, the formulation moves significantly across the substrate,” the team explained. “This behavior is different from traditional disinfectants that remain on the surface and do not reach the embedded microorganisms.”
© Houweling Americas
Broad spectrum pathogen control
Growers of all types of crops rely on Intra Multi Des GA to manage a wide range of pathogens, including fungal, bacterial and viral threats. The reported efficacy against ToBRFV has made it an essential component of hygiene protocols in tomato production.
“Intra Multi Des GA has shown excellent efficacy against ToBRFV and has proven effective in eliminating the virus on contact when used appropriately,” the team reported. Beyond viral control, growers also use the product against pathogens such as Fusarium and Pythium in crop and ornamental systems.
Waste behavior and crop turnover
Unlike non-residue disinfectants, Intra Multi Des GA is designed to leave a residual effect on treated surfaces during cleaning, providing extensive protection between crops. This waste is not intended to come into contact with the collected products, but is used to maintain sanitation during downtime.
Operational efficiency is another matter. The product is applied at a low concentration of use, requires a short contact time and usually requires only one application, allowing rapid crop rotations without compromising hygiene standards.
Long-term sanitation results
Growers who consistently incorporate Intra Multi Des GA have reported cumulative improvements in crop rotation hygiene programs over multiple seasons. In one documented case, a Dutch tomato operation managing ToBRFV reported no subsequent infections after integrating the product into the cleaning protocol.
“Starting clean remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of early cycle infection,” the team emphasizes.
Supporting North American producers
Houweling Americas supplies Intra Multi Des GA and other Intracare solutions through established distribution partners and provides technical support to assist with implementation. In addition to hygiene products, the company’s portfolio includes nutrient solutions, growing substrates, LED lighting, water treatment technologies and biostimulants such as Intra Eco Shield, with Intra Boost, a next-generation willow bark-derived biostimulant, scheduled for a North American launch in early 2026.
Based in British Columbia and Ontario, Houweling Americas works closely with growers to develop integrated solution programs that support yield, plant health and resilience. The company is part of Royal Houweling, a Dutch family business founded in 1925 and recently recognized with royal status for its long-term commitment to horticulture and sustainability.
For growers seeking technical guidance on hygiene protocols or product performance, the Houweling Americas team encourages direct engagement for further assistance.
For more information:
Houweling America
1-800-252-5824
houwelingamericas.com
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