On this Friday edition of Trade to Black, host Shadd Dales is joined by Anthony Varrell and Guap to wrap the week with a spirited discussion on hemp regulation, North Carolina’s cannabis reform proposal, and future cannabis sponsorships in professional sports. We’ll cover the growing legal and regulatory uncertainty surrounding hemp-derived cannabinoids in the states, including delta-8 and THCA.
During a June 4 webinar hosted by the Attorney General Alliance, Regulators from four states confirmed what the market already knows: intoxicating hemp products like Delta-8 and Delta-9 are flooding stores with little oversight. Officials from Florida, Oregon, Nevada, and California confirmed that over 40 states now regulate hemp cannabinoids—up from just 8 a year ago. But state laws remain inconsistent, and federal rules are still unclear.
A newly advanced federal bill could ban all hemp products containing “quantifiable” levels of THC, threatening much of the current market. It’d be difficult, if not impossible, to regulate hemp separately from cannabis, says Anthony.
In North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein is forming a cannabis policy council to propose adult-use legislation by 2026. Stein called the state’s current hemp market the “Wild West” and supports regulating THC like alcohol, with restrictions on youth access and product labeling.
The episode also looks at the rise of hemp-derived THC beverages. While direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales currently account for over 50% of revenue in the category, some states are beginning to ban the channel. Major beverage companies remain on the sidelines—though that could change as policy evolves. A new national poll shows a majority of sports fans support cannabis sponsorships across major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and NHL. As cannabis becomes more accepted, these partnerships could shape public perception, open new revenue channels, and mark a turning point in the mainstreaming of the industry.
This and more, this Friday episode.
