Fastest-Growing Company in Greater New Orleans Faces Prohibition Unless Congress Acts by December 11
NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans-based hemp beverage manufacturer Crescent Canna has sold its 20 millionth can of Crescent 9 THC Seltzer, less than 40 days before a federal hemp ban takes effect that would make Crescent 9 and virtually all hemp-derived THC products illegal to sell.
The ban would stop Crescent Canna’s growth months after Inc. 5000 ranked it the fastest-growing company in the Greater New Orleans area, with 850% growth over the past three years.
Crescent 9 is sold in more than 8,500 retail locations in 20 states and is the No. 1-selling THC beverage brand in grocery, liquor and convenience stores nationwide, according to 2025 data from NIQ.
Despite this success, Crescent Canna cut its workforce in half this summer, laying off about 20 employees as distributors and retailers began winding down THC beverage orders leading up to the ban.
“Our goal was always to go big, and 20 million cans later, we’re proud it all started right here in New Orleans,” says Crescent Canna CEO Joe Gerrity. “But in just a few weeks, every one of our products becomes illegal to sell and only Congress can fix this before it’s too late.”
The new federal hemp definition caps total THC at 0.4 mg per container, which would remove nearly all hemp-derived THC products from store shelves and online. A 2026 Whitney Economics report estimates the change could displace up to 225,000 American workers and cut $28 billion in industry revenue.
Congress still has time to change this. Federal government funding runs out on Dec. 11, so lawmakers must pass a new funding bill by the same day the ban takes effect. That bill could delay the ban or replace it with a regulatory framework, and Crescent Canna is urging Congress to use the funding bill to regulate hemp instead of banning it.
“Congress says it wants to grow the economy, support small business, create jobs and protect freedom,” said Gerrity. “Prove it by regulating the American hemp industry, not banning it.”
Until Dec. 11, Crescent Canna is offering deals and volume discounts on THC beverages for adult customers who want to stock up before the ban.