Hemp Beverage Alliance names Michelle Bodian as general counsel

Founded in 2023, the alliance includes more than 140 brands.

Hemp regulatory specialist Michelle Bodian has joined the Hemp Beverage Alliance as general counsel.

“Michelle and Vicente LLP were early supporters of the Hemp Beverage Alliance and have been instrumental in getting us where we are today,” said Christopher Lackner, founder and president, Hemp Beverage Alliance. “We are thrilled to officially add her to our leadership team and look forward to working together to grow the Alliance and the industry.”

Bodian serves as a partner in Vicente LLP’s Boston and New York offices, where she is co-chair of the firm’s hemp and cannabinoids department and is a leading member of the firm’s cannabis licensing and regulatory compliance efforts in Connecticut and New York. In addition, Bodian leads the firm’s Environment, Health & Safety practice group.

“I’ve had the pleasure of watching the alliance grow into a powerhouse industry leader,” Bodian said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to help advance the hemp beverage industry in a responsible, inclusive and compliant manner.”

Founded in 2023, the Hemp Beverage Alliance is an association of more than 140 brands, distributors, supply chain partners, professional service providers, associations and retailers, all working together to create a hemp beverage marketplace that is safe, transparent and provides consumers with the highest quality products.

Alyse Thompson-Richards has held many positions with BNP Media, first serving as an intern at Candy Industry Magazine in summer 2012. She joined Candy Industry's staff full time as associate editor in August 2016 after a few years at newspapers in West-Central Illinois, becoming managing editor in March 2019. Alyse has also served on Cannabis Products Insider since March 2019. She has bachelor’s degrees in journalism and Spanish from Western Illinois University.