Tom Cole, chairman of Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, used his address at the opening of the associations annual trade show to urge members "to support our efforts" to "apply lessons learned in the safest, most diverse, and most competitive alcohol market place in the world to the emerging cannabis sector.

"The beverage alcohol industry's commitment to public health and safety is something that sets us apart from other consumer products," said Cole. "We believe that the successful state-based regulatory model which has served America's consumers and our industry so well, should be a part of the discussion… I call upon my industry colleagues to support our efforts and to lend your voice and experience to the conversations happening on Capitol Hill."

In a fireside chat, new WSWA President & CEO Francis Creighton, said:

"I think we can all agree that the federal government's inaction on cannabis isn't working for anyone – consumers and non-consumers," said Creighton. "People don't know, and often shouldn't trust, that what they are putting into their bodies isn't tainted product – because there is NO federal standard for testing. Consumers don't know what the potency is – there is NO standard for accuracy and NO regulator at the federal level to ensure accurate labeling for dosing."

"There are no federal health and safety standards. The illicit market is thriving and undercutting state-permit holders, and as reports have indicated, we have illicit product from China – that has made its way into the supply chain. And some of these operations are conducted illegally by organized crime. So how do you enforce the law if no one knows what the law should be or who is responsible for what. Its buyer beware and the government is failing consumers as well as those who abstain."

Last month WSWA sent a letter to members of Congress, where the association proposed a comprehensive and robust federal regulatory framework along with warnings that addressing the issue in a "piecemeal manner" will result in de facto federal legalization that does nothing to address product safety, trade practices, or interstate sales and enforcement.