Eric Orlando Featured on NJ Spotlight, Discusses Hemp Regulation Bill for Craft Brewers
TZG’s Eric Orlando was featured on NJ Spotlight this week to discuss an important bill awaiting Governor Murphy’s approval that aims to regulate intoxicating hemp products in New Jersey.
Under the bill, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) would oversee these products which typically contain much lower amounts of THC than cannabis-derived products but have raised concerns due to their current availability in unregulated settings and lack of testing standards for potency and contents. Included in the legislation is the regulation of intoxicating hemp beverages which have grown in popularity and are currently being carried in liquor stores in the state.
The bill would continue to permit certain liquor license holders to distribute and sell intoxicating hemp beverages once registered with the CRC. Eric, representing the interests of the Brewers Guild of New Jersey, a TZG client, is advocating for changes that would also allow local craft breweries to manufacture intoxicating hemp beverages onsite through a CRC license so they could be eventually sold by retailers to adult consumers subject to appropriate state regulations.
“Craft brewers across the country have been allowed through proper regulation to make these beverages at their breweries with great success, not only producing new business opportunities for the industry and tax revenue for states, but also ensuring what is made is safe and kept away from children. New Jersey breweries are advocating for the same here so that our local manufacturers can take advantage of these trends in the hemp industry while ensuring all the proper checks and balances are in place to make these drinks a legitimate option for adults only in retail settings which make sense.”, said Eric.
You can view the NJ Spotlight News video here.
Eric has been actively working on this bill, testifying before legislative committees in both houses as the bill moved through the legislative process. Eric continues to advocate towards the Murphy Administration for ways breweries can legally produce intoxicating hemp beverages onsite, respecting the oversight of not only the CRC over hemp, but the NJ Division of Alcohol Beverage Control and their purview over alcoholic beverages.
Eric serves as the Government Affairs Director for the Guild and was the Guild’s first Executive Director since its inception in 2018. Eric has played a pivotal role in representing the policy interests of over 150 independent craft breweries and brewpubs across the Garden State. His efforts are focused on ensuring that these local, independent craft breweries have fair opportunities within the evolving market. His dedication to the craft brewing industry can be highlighted by his recent successes, including leading efforts to lift state-imposed license restrictions, culminating in the signing of Public Law 2023, Chapter 290. His relentless advocacy has earned him a place on the ROI-NJ Influencers List for both 2023 and 2024.
About The Zita Group
The Zita Group is a woman-owned government and public affairs firm, both founded and led by Patrizia “Trish” Zita. Our bipartisan, experienced team of strategic consultants is widely respected by elected, appointed and government officials of both parties across New Jersey’s political landscape. We provide our clients unique insights into the decision-making process at the highest levels. We bring to bear credible working relationships with executive branch officials, legislators, and staff. Our team’s effectiveness has been demonstrated again and again by the results we achieve for our clients.
