Study Shows Low-THC Hemp Beverages Decrease Alcohol Consumption As Senate Hemp Legislation Looms

MoreBetter Ltd, an organization that works with real-world data and public health research, recently conducted a national study that discovered that “low-dose hemp-derived infused beverages are linked to improved well-being, reduced alcohol use, and minimal impairment,” (1).

In regard to the FY 2026 Agriculture–FDA Appropriations Bill and with the release of data from this study, has linked a connection between low dose hemp beverages and “measurable” public health benefits (1,2). MoreBetter Ltd, is encouraging for lawmakers to look over the data before moving to vote for hemp language in the omnibus package that will restrict the industry.

“The data show that adults are using hemp beverages responsibly to relax, reduce alcohol consumption, and feel better without high levels of intoxication,” said Kevin Provost, CEO of MoreBetter Ltd (1). “Banning these products now would erase years of harm-reduction progress and contradict the Real World Evidence that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Congress claim to rely on.”

In the study, researchers analyzed data from 2,580 adult participants over the course of 22 days, where they consumed one of 20 different hemp beverages that contained one to 10 mg tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per serving. The dosing used in this study is commonly seen in most commercial products that are currently available in the marketplace (1).

As mentioned in the press release, key findings from the study included (1):

• Well-being: WHO-5 scores (overall well-being) increased from 42.93 at baseline to 52.67 at day 21 — a +9.74-point (+22.7%) improvement, exceeding the minimally important difference threshold for clinical significance.
• Psychological distress: DASS results showed substantial reductions — Depression −50.7% (8.15→4.02), Stress −45.0% (11.06→6.08), and Anxiety −48.8% (4.73→2.42) indicating broad mood stabilization.
• Alcohol use: The probability of daily alcohol consumption decreased 12.7 points (from 32.9% to 20.1%), while the likelihood of heavy use (3+ drinks/day) dropped 38% to 25%.
• Intoxication & hangover: Participants were generally unlikely to report intoxication. Among all reports of feeling intoxicated (N = 3,252), 98.3% described effects as barely noticeable to manageable, and 95.8% reported no hangover symptoms the next day.
• Dose–risk context: Average daily consumption (~6.6 mg THC; ~11.6 mg total cannabinoids) corresponded to a very low predicted probability of negative events (4% and 7%, respectively). While risk increased modestly with combined alcohol or cannabis use, infused beverage–only use consistently showed the lowest risk profile.
• Health safety perception: 77% of participants rated hemp beverages as safer or much safer than alcohol

“This is not a legalization debate, it's a data-driven public-health issue,” said Tyler Dautrich, MoreBetter COO (1). “Our findings show clear benefits for mood, quality of life, and alcohol reduction without meaningful risk of impairment.”

In the FY 2026 Agriculture–FDA Appropriations Bill, hemp would be redefined “to ban any product containing more than 0.4 mg total THC per container, which is a limit so low that it would outlaw virtually every hemp-derived product on the market, even low-dose beverages,” (1). The data was published on MoreBetter Ltd’s website so that the information would be available to policymakers and other legislators (1).

“We urge Congress to review the actual evidence before signing a provision that unintentionally undermines public health, small business innovation, and consumer choice,” Provost added. “MoreBetter will continue to share our data with regulators and lawmakers committed to smart policy over panic.”

Warnings From US Hemp Roundtable Against Senate Hemp Legislation

On November 10, 2025, the US Hemp Roundtable published a press release reacting to new language from the Senate that would negatively affecting the $28.4 billion hemp industry in the US and affect the 300,00 jobs for farmers and entrepreneurs (3). In efforts to reopen the government, the Senate had passed a minibus on Sunday, November 9, the US Hemp Roundtable explained, which had included the legislation regarding hemp (3).

The legislation would decimate 95% of businesses, the press release explains, referencing data from the Whitney Economics 2023 National Cannabinoid Report, and cost $1.5 billion in lost tax revenue. A major argument in the statement is that most of the hemp-derived CBD products contain more than the proposed limit of 0.4 mg of THC per container, affecting those who depend on the products for their wellbeing.

“Our industry is being used as a pawn as leaders work to reopen the government,” stated Jonathan Miller, US Hemp Roundtable General Counsel, in its press release. “Recriminalizing hemp will force American farms and businesses to close and disrupt the wellbeing of countless Americans who depend on hemp. We support Senator Rand Paul’s efforts to push back on this language and will continue to fight alongside him for a regulated, safe, and robust hemp industry.”

References

1. MoreBetter. National Study warns Congress: Hemp beverage ban would eliminate safer alternatives to alcohol https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-study-warns-congress-hemp-beverage-ban-would-eliminate-safer-alternatives-to-alcohol-302611568.html (accessed Nov 12, 2025).
2. Functional beverage study https://morebetter.ltd/functional-beverage-study (accessed Nov 12, 2025).
3. McEvoy, E. US Hemp Roundtable warns Senate hemp legislation could devastate industry https://www.cannabissciencetech.com/view/us-hemp-roundtable-warns-senate-hemp-legislation-could-devastate-industry (accessed Nov 12, 2025).