Azuca CEO and Co-Founder Kim Sanchez Rael and SVP of Growth Corinne Butler have been named to the 2026-2027 Supply Chain Advisory Board of the Hemp Beverage Alliance.
NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Award-winning applied bioscience company Azuca is proud to announce that CEO and Co-Founder Kim Sanchez Rael and SVP of Growth Corinne Butler have been named to the 2026-2027 Supply Chain Advisory Board of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, the trade association for the hemp beverage industry with 375 members in the U.S. and Canada.
Butler has also been named the HBA Advisory Board co-chair, helping to lead a Board that this year includes can manufacturers, emulsion providers, logistics experts, financial institutions, payment processors and law firms. The Board works with HBA staff to help shape policy priorities and support legislative efforts that advance a safe, responsible and sustainable hemp beverage industry. Members provide recommendations, support membership and fundraising initiatives, and collaborate on marketing, public relations and stakeholder engagement.
"Building a sustainable hemp beverage industry requires more than great brands. It takes an entire ecosystem - from ingredient and packaging partners to distributors, financial institutions and other industry experts - working together to build consumer trust, establish responsible practices and create a category that can scale," said Corinne Butler, SVP of Growth, AZUCA® and HBA Advisory Board co-chair. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve as co-chair and look forward to helping lead the Advisory Board's efforts to bring together the expertise, perspectives and collaboration needed to support the industry's long-term growth."
HBA recently released an industry data report that showed 133% growth in the category. With a federal framework in place, that growth is expected to accelerate. The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act (commonly known as the "Farm Bill") helped create a thriving hemp beverage category that continues to grow at an astounding rate. Although 28 states currently regulate hemp beverages, Congress passed a law in November 2025 that would eliminate the entire hemp industry later this year.
Congress recently passed a continuing resolution (CR) that pushes the hemp deadline to December 11 and stakeholders are urging Congress to use this extension to pass a regulatory framework that protects public health and allows the category to grow. The ban on synthetic cannabinoids remains in place and will go into effect on November 12.
"We are at a critical moment: much of the innovation and normalization that has been built over the past several years is now vulnerable. For farmers, brands, and consumers who embraced full-spectrum hemp, adult-use cannabinoid beverages and edibles, the potential outcome represents more than regulatory change – it's a setback for consumer choice, progress and opportunity," said Kim Sanchez Rael, AZUCA®. "But this moment also reminds us of what we at the HBA are fighting for: a smarter, sustainable regulatory framework that prioritizes access and safety."
Azuca's leadership in hemp and cannabis is longstanding and ongoing. The company has been named to the Inc. 5000 for two consecutive years and recognized on Forbes' Cannabis 42.0 list. Azuca also consistently earns recognition for its product and technology innovations, including a High Spirits Award for its Hemp-Infused Simple Syrup, and Cannabis & Tech Today's CannaTech Innovation award for its Whole-Plant Innovation. CEO and co-founder Kim Sanchez Rael has previously been named to the Inc. "Female Founders 500" and Forbes "50 over 50" lists.
Known for its proprietary TiME INFUSION® process, Azuca creates fast-acting formulations that typically take effect within 5 to 15 minutes while delivering precise dosing, superior taste and predictable performance. The company is also applying its molecular encapsulation platform to functional terpenes and THC-free applications, while its RTD ACTiVATOR® line supports the growing ready-to-drink beverage market.
Since its founding in 2018, Azuca's formulations have been used in more than 800 million precisely dosed 5 mg servings infused across medical and adult-use markets, with 150+ partner licenses and SKUs spanning edible and beverage formats. Products powered by Azuca technology are available across 32 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Canada and Australia, with further international expansion underway.
About Azuca
Azuca is an award-winning applied bioscience company helping brands create differentiated edible and beverage products powered by TiME INFUSION®. Known for its leadership in fast-acting cannabinoid innovation, Azuca combines precision infusion, superior taste, and predictable product performance to help brands build consumer trust and succeed in evolving markets.
Powered by TiME INFUSION®, Azuca enables premium product experiences across cannabinoids, terpenes, and a growing range of functional ingredients. Azuca has powered more than 800 million infused servings and has been recognized twice on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. Learn more at AZUCATIME.com.
Media Contact
Raquel Hochroth, Azuca, 1 1 9143741213, [email protected], http://AZUCATIME.com
SOURCE Azuca
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