Hemp In Your Drink

For John, BLUF:  Industrial hemp is not the same as cannabis, in the eyes of the Commonwealth Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES CONTROL COMMISSION ADVISORY
REGARDING CANNABIS IN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

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Here is the lede plus two:

On July 1, 2018, cannabis is expected to become legal for retail sale in Massachusetts.  The Commission issues this Advisory to inform the industry on the use of cannabis in alcoholic beverages in the Commonwealth.

Cannabinoid extract from the cannabis plant is considered a Schedule 1 drug by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Infusing or otherwise adding cannabinoid extract in alcoholic beverages is considered adulteration of alcohol under M.G.L. c. 270, § 1.2

Please be advised that even though retail sales of cannabis are expected to become lawful starting July 1, 2018, it will remain unlawful to manufacture and/or sell alcoholic beverages containing any cannabinoid extracts, including tetrahydrocannabinol (“THC”) and cannabidiol (“CBD”), regardless of whether it is derived from the cannabis plant or industrial hemp.

There is more to the letter, but the basic point is that there will BE NO spiking of alcoholic drinks with marijuana.

On the other hand, there is this:

While cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, can never be used in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages in Massachusetts, industrial hemp can be used in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages.

While "hemp" is an old nickname for marijuana, there is a difference.

Note that there are hoops to be jumped through to use "industrial hemp" in the manufacture of alcoholic beverage in our Commonwealth.  Follow the rules.

Hat tip to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.

Regards  —  Cliff