Legal & Regulatory

Navigating the legal landscape is one of the biggest hurdles in THC beverages. This session will explore the current regulatory environment, how it varies by state, and what producers need to know about compliance, labeling, distribution, and risk management.

Panelists Include:
Chris Lackner, President/CEO, Hemp Beverage Alliance Christopher Lackner is the founder and president of the Hemp Beverage Alliance (HBA), the trade association for the hemp beverage industry. HBA represents more than 375 hemp brands, service providers, and ingredient manufacturers throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Together, we are dedicated to creating a marketplace that is transparent, sustainable, and provides consumers with the highest quality hemp-infused drinks. More at hempbeveragealliance.org.

Neil M. Willner is counsel in Vicente LLP's New York office, focusing on cannabis and hemp regulatory and compliance matters across multiple jurisdictions. Over the past several years, he has been at the forefront of regulatory challenges concerning the crossover of the hemp and regulated marijuana industries. Neil also advises alcohol beverage licensees across the supply chain, including suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers, on their involvement in the hemp beverage space.

Neil serves on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association's Cannabis Section, where he chairs the Regulatory Sub-Committee. He also serves on committees for leading industry trade groups and frequently presents on intoxicating hemp issues. Neil has engaged with members of Congress, FDA officials, and state Attorneys General offices on federal legalization and hemp regulation and has been called upon by state regulators and attorneys general to provide guidance on intoxicating hemp matters.

Neil is a trusted source for media outlets including the New York Times, Crains, Forbes, and Law360. He received his J.D. from New York Law School and his B.S. from the University of Vermont.

*Jamie Bogner, Cofounder + Editorial Director, *Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine® **