Louie Louie

Wow wow wow. We are humbled and honored to be a 2023 The Clio Awards Shortlist winner for Brand Design! Thank you to the incredible jury for recognizing our #NewOrleans based brand, and congratulations to our peers from around the world on their awards. Extra gratitude for our partners Office Hours Design who have made our brand come to life in every way. #cliocannabis #cannabisawards #cliocannabisawards Roy Fleeman Marie La France Eric Becker Michelle Terrebonne Becker Ken Jackson https://lnkd.in/e_8mXSXJ

WE'RE HIRING! Are you the type of person who loves talking about your favorite products? Do you have relationships in the hospitality industry? Do you like fun? If so, check out https://lnkd.in/gMdzDy8f for our open part-time positions in Austin, Atlanta, Birmingham and Houston! Please apply via the links on the website; we won't be managing applications through LinkedIn.

"This summer, the state legislature came very close to shutting down Louisiana’s THC beverage industry. But while production is still allowed, some of its biggest players say the new regulations create an uneven playing field that gives major advantages to out-of-state markets and businesses within a $1B-plus global industry that's just getting started." Thank you Biz New Orleans Magazine for capturing the incredible potential for hemp beverages in New Orleans, and for choosing our homegrown operation for your November issue cover! Check out the article in the comments.

Thank you Stomp Stickers for shining a spotlight on our company! If you've ever set your Louie Louie down on a coaster at your local watering hole, or grabbed one of our variety packs from Rouses Markets, you've touched a Stomp product. Article in comments!

During the latest Louisiana legislative session, limits were placed on the number of bars and restaurants that can carry hemp beverages. Monica Roerig Olano, MBA outlined the dissonance of this limit in her recent article for Dry Atlas: "Bars already implement age-gating, and many restaurants and convenience stores do as well. If we trust these establishments to responsibly serve alcohol, why not extend that same trust to cannabis beverages?" We are proud to be served in some of New Orleans' finest restaurants, dive bars, and everywhere in between. We remain hopeful that our state leadership will lift the limit on Class A establishments soon, allowing even more responsible small businesses the opportunity to support local suppliers and take advantage of the additional revenue stream that Hemp beverages provide. Read Monica's take on the influences behind Louisiana's Class A limitations via the article link in our comments.

“Sales have soared as patrons appreciate the availability of something besides alcohol... It’s also a great alternative for the restaurant industry’s traditional after-work shift drink.” That's Nathan Frusti, beverage director at Napoleon House, describing our Louie Louie THC Pimm's Cup served at the legendary French Quarter restaurant. Thank you to the inimitable Poppy Tooker for profiling our brand and the impact the THC Beverage category is having in our home town of New Orleans for Biz New Orleans Magazine - article link in comments!

We wanted to share an update on what's been happening for our business in the Louisiana State Legislature. SB237, aka "The Ban Bill" was stopped in its tracks on the House Floor on Friday afternoon. Good riddance. We have been supportive of Dustin Miller's bill, HB952, from the very beginning. Louisiana's regulatory environment is constantly evolving, and the measures put forth in this bill will make our industry safer and stronger. While we can continue to sell our products at grocery and spirits store, at the last minute, Senator Thomas Pressly, (the author of SB237) stuck an amendment on HB952 that is effectively prohibition. It specifically targets the beverage and hospitality industry, banning our products from being sold at bars and restaurants. We have heard from countless consumers that THC Seltzers have been a lifeline to them as they attempt to socialize without alcohol. It is a unique proposition in Louisiana that these products are sold at our iconic bars and restaurants - one that has potential not only to support our beleaguered hospitality industry, but drive tourism and national interest here. We are hopeful that, as this legislative session comes to a close, our Representatives will do the right thing and strip this amendment from an otherwise sensible bill. We'll post an update as soon as we know more.

We started Louie Louie in New Orleans to share our culture & a product we love with Louisiana & beyond.?We have connected with many people who've found a place for hemp infused beverages in their lives, but now that's all at risk due to Senate Bill 237. With the deck stacked against us from the start due to backing from big alcohol & medical marijuana, it's been far from a fair fight.?During last week’s hearing of the Admin of Criminal Justice Committee, I was not afforded an opportunity to speak after the chair unfairly limited each side to 5 speakers. Much of what was said in that meeting was not accurate and I’d like to set the record straight. First, not all hemp infused THC products are “synthetic” or use lab-created cannabinoids - Louie Louie includes natural delta-9 THC extracted from federally compliant hemp plants. Next, the committee was led to believe that regional states, including AL, FL, GA and TX have taken action to “close the loophole” when in fact, each has a more lax regulatory structure than LA’s program. ■?AL - SB66 was signed into law as Act 169 last year limiting the sale of "psychoactive cannabinoids," including delta-8 and delta-10 THC to those 21+ The legislation did not eliminate “synthetic” cannabinoids, it affirmatively granted adults in Alabama access to these products. ■?GA - weeks ago Governor Kemp signed SB494 creating a category for "consumable hemp products," giving adults 21+ access to hemp derived THC, w/out placing restrictions on cannabinoids or cannabinoid content beyond the federally mandated 0.3%. ■?FL - SB 1698 is awaiting Governor DeSantis' signature and it would take action against certain synthetic and/or modified cannabinoids including delta-8, but protects access for adults to THC products up to 5mg per serving and 50mg per package.?Currently these products are sold legally w/out such restrictions. ■?TX – like LA, TX has a “Consumable Hemp Program” that has certain licensing & product requirements but it does not limit synthetic or converted cannabinoids, does not limit serving sizes or servings per package, does not limit products to 21 and up, and currently allows intoxicating inhalable products. If the LA House of Representatives votes to pass SB 237, we won’t be served in landmarks like The Napoleon House or carried in Rouses anymore & the important protections that the industry is lobbying for in House Bill 952 will be thrown aside with our businesses. We understand that not everything was done the right way to get here, but instead of giving away revenue to out-of-state online sellers who often don’t play by any rules (many of whom will continue to ship here even if the law changes), let's make it better together. Please reach out to your reps or anyone that will listen.?At a time when the federal government continues to soften its stance on cannabis, it’s sad to see LA turning its back on a new industry that is bringing needed revenue & jobs to the state.

Producing our product locally was always part of our plan, and as demand for our products continues to grow we’re thrilled to welcome Port Orleans Brewing Co. as a partner to bring that plan into action. https://lnkd.in/grzAiSA9

WE'VE LANDED IN AUSTIN, TEXAS! After just one month, Louie Louie can now be found in over 40 locations here in Austin. We are so inspired by this city's independent markets, world class bars and restaurants, and gorgeous hotels. Thank you for the warm welcome, #austin! Where should we go next??