News

Registered for Marketplace but haven’t secured your hotel? Make your reservation today – as the hotel block is closing soon.

Distributors not yet registered can still join us - register now to attend timely sessions with expert insights, connect with top suppliers and solution providers and network with fellow attendees.

Questions? Reach out to eventsupport@cdaweb.net.

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By attending Marketplace 2026, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers.

On Jan. 6, 2026, the Fifth Court of Appeals held an oral argument on a lawsuit brought by VDX Distro, Inc. against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which challenges the agency’s denial of the company’s Pre-Market Tobacco Applications (PMTAs) for its menthol-flavored refillable e-cigarette products. During the oral argument, VDX Distro argued that the FDA imposed new, non-approved standards that PMTAs for flavored e-cigarettes must comply with in order to be authorized by the agency. To date, the FDA has authorized only six menthol flavored e-cigarette products.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals took the case under advisement and will issue its decision in the coming months. Read more here.

On Jan. 6, 2026, 22nd Century Group announced it had filed an application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the renewal of the company’s Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) designation for its Very Low Nicotine cigarette brands. These 22nd Century Group cigarette brands have 95% less nicotine than traditional cigarettes.

Originally, 22nd Century Group received an MRTP authorization order from the FDA for these Very Low Nicotine cigarettes in 2021. Under federal tobacco regulations, a company must submit an application every five years to seek renewal of MRPT authorization from the agency. Read more here.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Federal Register notice (FRN) announcing a roundtable discussion with small tobacco product manufacturers (fewer than 350 employees) on February 10, 2026, 9 am–5 pm ET. The discussion aims to solicit input on premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) submissions for electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) products.

Viewing the meeting is open to the public, however roundtable participants are limited to 30 individuals representing manufacturers who have previously submitted an ENDS PMTA, including those with a PMTA currently pending with FDA.

The FDA is hosting this roundtable to provide small ENDS manufacturers an opportunity to share their experience with, and other opinions about, the premarket application process. The topics to be discussed will include certain components of ENDS PMTAs such as product characterization, manufacturing controls, pharmacological profile (e.g., pharmacokinetic studies), studies of adult benefit (e.g., longitudinal cohort/randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies) and toxicological profile (e.g., estimated lifetime cancer risk).

To learn more, click here.

Before the holidays, the CDA Industry Affairs Committee (IAC) Tobacco Subcommittee traveled to North Carolina to meet with Reynolds in Winston-Salem and to Greensboro to meet with ITG Brands, LLC.

The visits provided an excellent opportunity for open and productive discussion between distributor members and their manufacturer partners. Additionally, a few attendees participated in a tour of ITGB’s manufacturing facility for a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s manufacturing processes.

By promoting transparency, collaboration and mutual understanding, the committee helped identify and address common challenges and opportunities that affect distributors. Thank you to Reynolds and ITG Brands, LLC for their continued support of the convenience distribution industry.

The IAC Tobacco Subcommittee with the Reynolds team.	The IAC Tobacco Subcommittee with the ITG Brands, LLC team.

You won't want to miss the Marketplace Grand Prize: a three-night stay for two at Secrets Vallarta Bay located on the golden sand beaches of Banderas Bay, plus roundtrip airfare for two, generously provided by Galactic Performance Solutions. Secrets Vallarta Bay provides 24/7access to amazing nightlife, non-stop entertainment, and unlimited luxury. This all-suite, all-inclusive resort provides guests with a wealth of amenities on and off property including Mexican colonial architecture backdropped by jade covered hills, lush jungles, and secluded nature preserves, providing just the right amount of relaxation, adventure, and everything in between. For an added touch of luxury, the prize also includes a spa treatment for both the winner and their guest.

The grand prize drawing will take place at the trade show on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at 1:45 PM CT. Distributor member attendees at Marketplace are eligible and must be present at the trade show to win.

For more information, watch this video or visit the Marketplace Grand Prize page. Not yet registered? Don’t miss your change to win – register now.

New bans on using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing certain processed foods, such as soda and candy, have taken effect in some states. On Dec. 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released guidance on how to comply with the waivers.

The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved 18 state agency requests to implement a SNAP Food Restriction Waiver and is poised to approve more in the future. These state agencies will prohibit purchasing foods such as candy and sugar-sweetened beverages with SNAP benefits. Several state agencies implemented waivers beginning Jan. 1, 2026, with others following in spring and summer 2026.

The USDA provides a 90-day grace period for existing SNAP-authorized retailers after a state waiver goes live. A tiered enforcement framework then starts after the 90 days, which entails warning letters and can escalate to removal from the program. Read more here.

Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) reintroduced the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult Use Regulated Environment (PREPARE) Act on Dec. 19, 2025. The legislation provides a framework to prepare the federal government for federal legalization of cannabis. Following President Trump’s announcement to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III, Hickenlooper welcomed the decision and pushed the administration to support his bill. Read more here.

The University of Innovative Distribution (UID) will be held from March 16-19, 2026, in Indianapolis, IN, offering a concentrated educational program focused on the unique needs of the wholesale distribution industry. The UID experience is designed to enhance attendees' knowledge, skills, and abilities to support immediate application into their work environment.

The course curriculum is taught by world-class instructors who know distribution, with course tracks including distribution strategy leadership, management, operations, sales and marketing.

Early Bird Special:
Register by January 16, 2026, and save $220!

Click here to learn more about the 2026 UID program or contact Lauren Herbert with questions.

Register now to attend timely sessions with expert insights on AI, consumer trends, physical security and safety, and other key industry topics!

• State of the Industry and Consumer Behaviors with Sally Lyons Wyatt
• Making AI Work for Distribution: A Practical Playbook for Every Team with Benj Cohen
• Understanding FSMA Section 204(d) with Jennifer McEntire and Richard Owen
• Attracting Tomorrow’s Talent with Today’s Leaders with Steve Bench
• And more!

Plus, participate in the second annual Distributor Showcase* for a unique opportunity for manufacturers to connect with wholesale distributor members outside of the trade show.

And don’t forget to make your hotel reservations - we expect the block to sell out soon!

Questions? Reach out to eventsupport@cdaweb.net.

Marketplace Website | Distributor Registration | Exhibit Space Registration
Schedule | Education | Hotel and Travel

*The distributor showcase is for CDA member distributors only. Participation is required.
By attending Marketplace 2026, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers.

President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Dec. 18, 2025, that would reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This change would ease federal restrictions by recognizing marijuana as having a lower potential for abuse and dependence. The move would not legalize marijuana but is intended to address how its current classification limits scientific research into its safety and potential medical uses, according to senior administration officials. Read more here.

Register now to attend timely sessions with expert insights on the economy, consumer trends, leadership and other key industry topics!

• FutureNomics: The Economic Snapshot You Need Now with Mary Kelly
• State of the Industry and Consumer Behaviors with Sally Lyons Wyatt
• Trusted to Lead: Energizing High-Performance Cultures in Convenience Distribution
  with Lt. Col. Jason O. Harris
• And more!

Discover more of what Marketplace Education has to offer in this short video!

And don’t forget to make your hotel reservations - we expect the block to sell out soon!

Questions? Reach out to eventsupport@cdaweb.net.

Marketplace Website | Distributor Registration | Exhibit Space Registration
Schedule | Education | Hotel and Travel

By attending Marketplace 2026, you agree to the CDA Notices & Disclaimers.

You won't want to miss the Marketplace Grand Prize: a three-night stay for two at Secrets Vallarta Bay located on the golden sand beaches of Banderas Bay, plus roundtrip airfare for two, generously provided by Galactic Performance Solutions. Secrets Vallarta Bay provides 24/7access to amazing nightlife, non-stop entertainment, and unlimited luxury. This all-suite, all-inclusive resort provides guests with a wealth of amenities on and off property including Mexican colonial architecture backdropped by jade covered hills, lush jungles, and secluded nature preserves, providing just the right amount of relaxation, adventure, and everything in between. For an added touch of luxury, the prize also includes a spa treatment for both the winner and their guest.

The grand prize drawing will take place at the trade show on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at 1:45 PM CT. Distributor member attendees at Marketplace are eligible and must be present at the trade show to win. For more information, watch this video or visit the Marketplace Grand Prize page.