HYDRO

There's just something about this.....

This is a great article, take the 3-5 minutes and give it a read.

https://www.homegrown-group.com/blog/h**p-on-ice?utm_source=policy-decoded.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=dailybrief&utm_campaign=policy-decoded&_bhlid=51d3d3c5707f766d730a4549f96a518f3e458854

Sorry Ohio, but without any current legislation on the books, stores are opting not to restock H**p-derived THC beverages. And who can blame them. With one stroke of the pen, our Governor prohibited the sale of many federally legal and regulated beverages produced by companies located here in Ohio. Now we are left in limbo.....

They are trying to come after H**p-derived THC beverages. If you have been enjoying these drinks, please reach out to your State Government and tell them to keep there hands off H**p.

https://www.naag.org/press-releases/bipartisan-coalition-of-39-state-and-territory-attorneys-general-urges-clarify-federal-definition-of-h**p/?utm_source=policy-decoded.beehiiv.com&utm_medium=dailybrief&utm_campaign=policy-decoded&_bhlid=05fffe9e1d3fce0453b2192fb2c28d73948668b5

Thats how you win a cowgirl heart!!!

Sun on my skin, waves at my feet.
Chill in my hand, HYDRO’s the treat.
No stress, no preach, just flavors that teach,
that life’s a beach — and HYDRO’s within reach.

Here is a great read from Policy decoded. It breaks down how many of your THC beverage companies are feeling right now, particularly in California and Ohio. We are just trying to produce a safe and responsible product for adults fo enjoy, while living out the American Dream. Please take a minute to read this article, and stand with responsible business owners!

The deeper pattern behind today’s moves — and why it matters next.

States Fracture on Intoxicating H**p as Gas Station Gummies Threaten Legitimate Beverage Industry
🧾 Context: States are splitting dramatically on how to handle h**p-derived intoxicating products, with approaches ranging from outright prohibition to sophisticated regulatory integration. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued emergency regulations in September 2024 banning any detectable THC in h**p products, later codified through legislation he signed in this month which forces all intoxicating cannabinoids into the licensed cannabis framework after a court blocked an industry attempt to halt enforcement. Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order in last month requiring age-gating at 21, testing, and labeling after the Legislature deadlocked between his regulatory preference and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick's preferred outright ban. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declared a 90-day emergency ban on intoxicating h**p sales starting next week, while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker threatened executive action after the Legislature failed to pass regulation in January 2025, with House Speaker Chris Welch requiring 60 Democratic votes before advancing any bill. Tennessee took a legislative approach, with Governor Bill Lee signing a new law in May 2025 to ban THCA and synthetic cannabinoids effective January 2026 while transferring regulatory authority from Agriculture to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission with a three-tier distribution system modeled on alcohol. Minnesota went the opposite direction, allowing h**p beverages on tap at breweries as of July 2024 and permitting on-site consumption at licensed alcohol establishments, creating a nearly $200 million market with 4,000 registered retailers. Maryland's appellate court upheld state authority to regulate intoxicating h**p products in September after the h**p industry challenged restrictions, while litigation continues to emerge wherever governors use executive authority to impose bans on federally legal products.

🔎 What It Signals: The 2018 Farm Bill legalized h**p without anticipating manufacturers would exploit the 0.3% delta-9 THC threshold to create intoxicating products through conversion processes and THCA loopholes, creating a federally legal market that states are now attempting to restrict through executive and legislative action that invites Commerce Clause challenges. Maryland watched adult-use cannabis sales growth collapse from 36% in year one to just 11% in year two as untested, untaxed h**p products sold at gas stations undercut licensed operators who invested millions in compliance infrastructure. The House approved Representative Mary Miller's amendment to the Farm Bill that would ban all h**p products containing "quantifiable" THC, effectively eliminating 90-95% of the h**p market including most CBD products, while the Senate Agriculture Committee passed similar language with a one-year implementation delay after Senator Mitch McConnell pushed to redefine his h**p legalization legacy. Legitimate h**p beverage companies that impose their own age-gating, testing, and serving size restrictions face impossible compliance burdens navigating 50 different state frameworks while competing against unregulated synthetic cannabinoids in cartoon packaging sold at convenience stores. Binary policy responses treat responsible h**p beverage manufacturers the same as gas station gummy operators, forcing states to choose between prohibition that invites litigation over federally legal commerce or unregulated chaos that undermines licensed cannabis operators who face expensive compliance requirements. The litigation risk is particularly acute for executive orders and emergency regulations that bypass legislative processes, as h**p industry attorneys argue states cannot ban products Congress explicitly legalized without clear statutory authority.

🧠 THC Group Take: The problem everyone's trying to solve is gas station gummies in cartoon packaging sold without age verification next to actual candy, often containing synthetic cannabinoids that have nothing to do with responsible h**p beverage production. Minnesota accidentally built a functional model by treating h**p beverages like alcohol: age-gated, sold through establishments with liquor licenses, available on-premise at breweries where consumption is supervised. Tennessee's transfer to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission recognizes that regulatory infrastructure for age-restricted intoxicants already exists rather than building parallel systems. What legitimate h**p beverage operators have been doing voluntarily is exactly what regulation should require: reasonable THC limits per serving, laboratory testing for contaminants and potency, child-resistant packaging, clear labeling, and sales restricted to age-verified channels. The policy failure is treating that responsible segment identically to unregulated synthetic cannabinoids, as if a taproom serving 5mg THC seltzers to verified adults poses the same risk as a gas station selling 50mg gummies made with poison to anyone tall enough to reach the counter. Executive orders banning federally legal products invite expensive litigation that states may lose, particularly when governors bypass legislatures to impose restrictions on interstate commerce. Licensed cannabis operators have legitimate concerns about h**p companies avoiding expensive compliance requirements, and h**p beverage manufacturers have legitimate concerns about being priced out by licensing fees designed for vertically integrated cannabis operations requiring millions in capital investment. Both industries lose when the policy response is binary rather than graduated based on product type, potency, and point of sale. States capable of distinguishing between responsible h**p beverage production in age-restricted venues and unregulated products in convenience stores will capture tax revenue while protecting public health without inviting Commerce Clause challenges. States treating all h**p-derived THC identically will watch beverage manufacturers relocate to friendlier jurisdictions while synthetic cannabinoid sales move online to platforms state regulators can't effectively control, all while spending taxpayer money defending executive orders in federal court. The strategic opportunity is acknowledging that THC beverages produced safely with appropriate restrictions have demonstrated consumer demand and can coexist with licensed cannabis markets when the regulatory framework matches risk to oversight rather than applying identical rules to fundamentally different distribution models.

⚖️ States Fracture on H**p • Lawsuits Loom • Policy Lines Blur Governors are declaring emergencies, legislatures are split, and courts are next. States are fracturing over intoxicating h**p - and the beverage industry’s on the line.

The Ohio Craft Brewers Association advocates for the continued production and sale of low-dose intoxicating h**p beverages by ODA-compliant, craft breweries. They argue that Governor DeWine’s emergency declaration and ban overlook the rigorous safety protocols already in place within Ohio’s brewing sector. The association highlights three core benefits:

- Meeting evolving consumer preferences for mindful, low-calorie, non-alcohol alternatives
- Creating a new revenue stream to bolster local economies and support jobs
- Leveraging existing brewery infrastructure and responsible service practices

They point to brands like Coastalo, Sunflower Seltzer and Green Buddy as proof-points of commercial success, and call on the General Assembly to enact clear, balanced regulations rather than a blanket prohibition.

HYDRO’s Response

HYDRO applauds the Ohio Craft Brewers Association’s leadership in championing sensible regulation over prohibition. As an all-natural, h**p-derived THC beverage producer, HYDRO fully aligns with the principles of safety, quality and compliance that underpin Ohio’s craft beverage industry.

Our position:

- Natural Ingredients and Rigorous Testing
We use 100 percent botanical extracts, food-grade carriers and essential oils, with every batch third-party lab tested for potency and purity.

- Federal and Ohio Compliance
Our beverages comply with the 2018 Farm Bill THC threshold and meet all Ohio Department of Agriculture standards, including labeling, packaging and distribution requirements.

- Established Safety Protocols
Bottling occurs in a licensed, inspected facility. Staff undergo responsible service training and age-verification checks identical to those for alcohol.

- Consumer-Driven Innovation
We recognize the growing demand for mindful, low-dose experiences. HYDRO’s flavor lineup—from citrus-mint to berry-herbal—balances taste with a consistent, moderate effect profile.

We urge Ohio policymakers to craft regulations that:

1. Recognize the existing safety and quality controls within beverage manufacturing
2. Provide clear testing, labeling and distribution guidelines unique to h**p-derived THC products
3. Ensure restricted access to adults aged 21 and over without disrupting responsible operators

By partnering with producers like HYDRO, Ohio can continue to lead in beverage innovation, support small-business growth and offer consumers safe, compliant alternatives to traditional alcohol.

Ohio Craft Brewers Call for Reasonable Regulation of H**p-Derived THC Beverages - Brewer Magazine The Ohio Craft Brewers Association, representing the state’s more than 400 small and independent breweries, supports the continued ability of our member