Total Wine & More has reported $510,000 in federal lobbying expenses during the first nine months of 2026, with all three quarterly disclosures identifying the regulation of low-dose hemp-derived THC beverages as the company’s sole lobbying issue. Meanwhile, a newly filed disclosure shows the National Beer Wholesalers Association lobbying Congress on two bills that would establish a three-tier distribution system for hemp-derived THC beverages.
The disclosures highlight the growing involvement of major alcohol retailers and wholesalers in federal hemp policy as Congress approaches a December 11 deadline when new restrictions could prohibit many currently available hemp-derived THC products.
According to federal lobbying records filed October 7, Total Wine & More reported spending $190,000 during the third quarter, covering July through September. That follows $180,000 in the second quarter and $140,000 in the first quarter, bringing its year-to-date total to $510,000. All three quarterly disclosures identify the regulation of low-dose hemp-derived beverages as the company’s lobbying focus.
The company’s latest filing identifies the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and Executive Office of the President as the government bodies targeted by its lobbying efforts. It also names three lobbyists: Eric Brewer, Nathaniel McCarthy and Tyler Jesse. McCarthy previously served as communications director for Congressman Rob Menendez, while Jesse previously worked for several congressional offices, including that of former Congressman David Trone, who founded Total Wine & More.
Meanwhile, a separate lobbying disclosure filed October 16 shows the National Beer Wholesalers Association, through EB Consulting, lobbying Congress on the Lawful Hemp Protection Act (H.R. 9830) and the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act (H.R. 10079). The two proposals were not identified in the firm’s previous quarterly disclosure.
Both bills would establish a three-tier distribution system for hemp-derived THC beverages, requiring manufacturers to sell their products through wholesalers rather than directly to retailers. Such a structure would give beverage distributors a central role in the emerging market, potentially creating new business opportunities for companies already operating within the alcohol distribution system.
The Lawful Hemp Protection Act, introduced July 22 by Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and Angie Craig (D-MN), would establish a broader federal framework for hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including testing, labeling, manufacturing requirements, taxation and distribution rules.
The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act, introduced August 10 by Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Greg Landsman (D-OH), focuses specifically on hemp-derived beverages. It would establish federal oversight through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, impose age restrictions and product testing requirements, and allow qualifying beverages containing up to five milligrams of intoxicating THC per serving.
Total Wine & More publicly endorsed the Beverage Regulatory Parity Act in August, praising its proposed regulatory structure and urging Congress to approve the legislation. The National Beer Wholesalers Association, meanwhile, has said it remains neutral on specific legislative proposals while advocating that THC beverages face at least the same regulatory standards as alcohol.
The beer wholesalers’ disclosure identifies Eric Bunning as the lobbyist working on the association’s behalf. Bunning previously served as a senior legislative assistant to Representative Barr, who introduced the Lawful Hemp Protection Act. Both the House and Senate are listed as targets of the firm’s lobbying activity.
The lobbying comes as federal restrictions on intoxicating hemp products, originally scheduled to take effect November 12, have been delayed until December 11. Under the changes, products exceeding 0.4 milligrams of total THC and similar cannabinoids per container would no longer qualify as federally legal hemp, threatening much of the existing hemp-derived beverage market.
With Total Wine’s reported lobbying expenditures increasing each quarter and beer wholesalers identifying specific federal legislation, the latest disclosures underscore how established alcohol industry interests are working to influence the regulatory framework that could determine the future of hemp-derived THC beverages.
