National Study Urges Congress to Tread Carefully on Hemp Beverage Regulations

A recent, extensive national study conducted by MoreBetter Ltd, a frontrunner in real-world data and public health research, raises significant alarms regarding proposed restrictions on hemp-derived beverages as Congress finalizes the FY 2026 Appropriations Bill. This study highlights that these low-dose hemp-infused drinks are associated with improved well-being and a decrease in alcohol consumption, presenting them as an effective alternative for consumers seeking safer relaxation methods.

As lawmakers consider the language in the Appropriations Bill which may impose stricter limits on hemp products, the findings from MoreBetter Ltd come at a crucial time. Kevin Provost, the CEO of the company, passionately advocates for a careful review of their data, indicating that removing these beverages could reverse years of public health advancements. He remarks, “The data show that adults are using hemp beverages responsibly to relax and reduce alcohol consumption without significant intoxication levels.”

The comprehensive study, which took place over 22 days and included 2,580 adult participants, involved the consumption of one of 20 different hemp beverages, each containing between 1 to 10 mg of THC per serving. This dosage aligns with what is typically found in many commercial products today. Participants reported significant improvements in various health and well-being metrics. For instance, the World Health Organization’s well-being scores surged from an initial average of 42.93 to 52.67 by the end of the study, reflecting a 22.7% increase that surpassed the threshold for clinical significance.

Analyzing psychological distress, results from the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS) showcased noteworthy reductions. Depression saw a 50.7% decrease, stress was reduced by 45%, and anxiety levels experienced a decline of nearly 49%. These staggering results indicate a general stabilization of mood among participants.

Additionally, the study found that the probability of daily alcohol consumption fell significantly from 32.9% to 20.1%. There was also a marked decrease in heavy drinking, which dropped from 38% to 25% among the participants. Remarkably, 98.3% of those who reported feeling intoxicated indicated that their experience was generally mild, and 95.8% experienced no hangover effects the next day.

The data suggests that average consumption of about 6.6 mg of THC per day corresponds with an extremely low likelihood of negative side effects, estimated at just 4% to 7%. Alcohol or cannabis combined use did present some risks but still showed a lower risk profile for those using just the hemp-infused products.

The study’s findings have prompted Tyler Dautrich, MoreBetter’s COO, to label this discussion as a public health concern rather than a mere legalization debate. He reinforces that the benefits observed in mood stabilization, improved quality of life, and lower alcohol consumption come without significant risks of impairment.

The current legislation proposes to redefine hemp, introducing a cap that would limit any product to 0.4 mg of THC per container, a threshold deemed excessively low. Such a measure would effectively ban nearly all hemp-derived products, including low-dose beverages that consumers have come to rely on.

MoreBetter’s study is the largest of its kind focused on the influence of infused beverages on life quality and alcohol consumption. Participants engaged with one of 20 unique products for two weeks after a week-long abstinence from these beverages, daily reporting their mood, sleep quality, and behaviors related to alcohol and cannabis use. For those interested in a thorough analysis, MoreBetter has made the complete study results available on its website.

In conclusion, MoreBetter Ltd calls upon Congress to weigh the tangible evidence before adopting regulations that could inadvertently threaten public health, undermine small business initiatives, and restrict consumer choices. The future direction of hemp-derived beverages hangs in the balance as MoreBetter remains committed to informing policymakers through data-driven insights.