Shutdown Showdown?: If it’s September, it’s time for this annual Washington drama, a manufactured crisis of political theater that typically lasts right up until the deadline (midnight, September 30), That’s when the government would run out of money unless Congress passes (and the President signs) a “Continuing Resolution” (CR, in DC lingo) that extends the old budget until they eventually create a new one. The last “on time” budget was passed when Bill Clinton was President, meaning that both Democrat and Republican administrations have consistently failed. Stay tuned for the 2025 theatrics!
Hemp High?: Can you have THC-infused products shipped to your mailbox without any onsite ID proof necessary? Yes, thanks to a 2018 Farm Bill glitch that legalized hemp, including (unwittingly) the same THC that is also derived from marijuana. So…while alcohol and marijuana are both highly regulated, hemp is not at all. As a result, Congress is working on reclassifying intoxicating hemp products to be consistent with traditional marijuana projects, a change which WineAmerica supports. WineAmerica members have received a full description of this situation via Michael Kaiser’s weekly e-newsletter. Join today to stay informed.
“Cheers to Wine!” The positive news from DC is that WineAmerica will again be hosting a special Come Over October wine reception in conjunction with the Congressional Wine Caucus, this year on Wednesday, October 8. COO is a great celebration of wine as the beverage that brings us together, and who needs that more than Congress?! Thanks to the efforts of WineAmerica’s Michael Kaiser and our COO friends, we’ll have wines from around the country to share with members of Congress and their staff, along with Administration officials and media. The COO team of Karen MacNeil, Kimberly Charles, and Gino Colangelo will also be on hand to spread the cheers. To get involved in the month-long Come Over October promotion, click HERE.