Rachel Garland’s Post

THC-infused beverages are exploding in Minnesota and changing the dynamics of the alcohol industry. Some quick background on this weed drinks revolution and how it might impact the booze business 👇 A few years ago, Minnesota state lawmakers signed into law a bill that permitted the sale of low-potency, hemp-derived beverages. These beverages are made with real, intoxicating THC that just happens to be produced/derived somewhat differently than traditional marijuana. The new law was focused primarily on more traditional cannabis form factors like smoking and edibles (the beverage portion was somewhat of an after thought). But the beverages have turned out to be, by far, the biggest surprise and winner. The market for THC beverages in Minnesota has exploded in the last two years, growing from basically zero to ~$200 MILLION annually. That is meteoric growth, especially when you consider it's only in one state. Essentially ever liquor store in Minnesota is now devoting a legitimate amount of shelf space to this new class of beverages. And they are FLYING off shelves. Just as important: many struggling craft breweries have found a life line in THC beverages. State rep Zack Stephenson, a top voice on cannabis policy reform, stated: “I can’t tell you the number of brewery owners who have told me, ‘But for this product, we would have gone out of business." COVID hit many breweries hard, so the timing is miraculous. The success in Minnesota is prompting a broader discussion about the future of hemp-derived THC and many other states are looking at following Minnesota's playbook. The consumer response has validated that there is very clearly a real market for these drinks. Weed drinks tend to appeal to a much broader base of consumers and can fill an important void for people looking to find some level of escapism/social lubrication without getting drunk. The beverages also tend to have a softer and less intense effect than smoking or edibles. There's still a bit of ambiguity around the laws, with some lawmakers advocating for shutting down this new hemp sector, others fighting hard to keep it growing, and some entirely unsure of the actual state of the industry. Regardless, the new laws in Minnesota (and federal loophole allowing the sale of hemp-derived THC beverages) has made one thing abundantly clear: There is massive consumer demand for THC beverages! It's still early, but the sales and customer data is quite compelling and shows a clear trajectory for this industry to continue to grow like wildfire. On their current trajectory, THC beverages look like they may end up being a "fourth tier" in the alcohol (beer, wine, spirits, THC beverages). It's a wild and exciting new development in the world of cannabis, alcohol, and vice overall. Will be watching this space closely!

The functional beverage category continues to expand, moving beyond just energy drinks and kombucha. In Minnesota, the legalization of low-potency, hemp-derived THC beverages has spurred a $200 million market, offering a new lifeline for local craft breweries and retailers. This trend demonstrates the potential for innovation and growth in the functional beverage space, appealing to consumers seeking alternatives to traditional alcohol and other wellness-focused drinks. I’m looking forward to seeing how this evolves for beverages like Tejas Tonic here in Texas. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gpf469zC #FunctionalBeverages #THCDrinks #BeverageInnovation #MinnesotaMiracle #CannabisIndustry #CraftBrews #WellnessDrinks #MarketTrends #TexasTastings

🍹🌿 Cannabis beverages are gaining interest in the cocktail scene, but it's important to navigate the complexities of federal legality and regulation. Despite state-level legalization, cannabis remains federally prohibited, and the FDA lacks funding for oversight and hasn't established a safe dosage level. Both cannabis and alcohol are depressants, so it's crucial to focus on one as the lead ingredient in your beverages. Mixing the two can lead to intensified effects, which isn't ideal for patrons. Opt for non-alcoholic beverages that showcase cannabis instead. Follow Culinary Tides, Inc. for more insights. #CulinaryTides #CannabisBeverages #FoodTrends #RegulationChallenges #HospitalityIndustry #SafeConsumption Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eH9gBSsn

How do 🍺 drinkers feel about hemp-derived beverages? This recent study in the British Food Journal uses survey data from 1,094 U.S. beer drinkers to assess their perceptions of CBD and THC beverages relative to conventional beer: 📊 Key Findings: ✅ 53-56% of beer drinkers state a willingness to try cannabis-infused beverages ✅ Age, product knowledge, and past purchasing behaviors correlate with a stated willingness to try ✅ Consumers expect cannabis-infused beverages to offer similar safety and nutrition metrics as conventional beer. ✅ However, they anticipate higher prices per six-pack: $0.33 more per six-pack for CBD beverages and $0.98 more for THC beverages. These insights offer valuable information for: 1️⃣ Craft beverage manufacturers looking to enter the cannabis market. 2️⃣ Entrepreneurs developing product differentiation strategies. 3️⃣ Policymakers and public health officials monitoring this rapidly evolving market. ❌ Disclaimer: Ongoing legal debates question the long-term viability of this market. This paper should not be used as legal guidance over market entry and positioning. Rather, industry members must consult their legal team for a comprehensive overview of the legal framework and risks.

How do you gain competitive advantage in a THC beverage market that is growing rapidly every month? I believe the core ingredients for success are a strong brand, superior distribution, and an advanced supply chain and manufacturing setup. Some companies possess maybe maybe one or two of these, but imagine having all three? In my most recent article of Spill The T (HC), I interviewed Angus Rittenburg, CEO of WHEREHOUSE BEVERAGE CO and CTO of WYNK™. In this piece I cover WHBEVCO's unique tech forward approach to the THC beverage space, as well Angus' insights on the hemp and cannabis markets, THC beverage dosing, and the ever changing regulatory landscape. Angus is definitely a visionary when it comes to the future of this category, and it was exciting to dig into the details on a number of topics. Thanks again to Caroline Brody and Angus Rittenburg for making this happen. #drinkcannabis #drinkhemp #cannabisbeverage #hempbeverage #delta9thc #spillthethc WYNK™ WHEREHOUSE BEVERAGE CO 5WPR Cannabis Beverage Association Hemp Beverage Alliance Forbes Business Insider Bloomberg Benzinga Cannabis https://lnkd.in/ePD-7bHt

If you launched a THC Beverage in MN in the past year or two, you are beyond fortunate 🍀 Not only have you gotten in early to arguably the best THC beverage market on the planet, but you have gotten the privilege to learn We certainly have at Hemp House MN 🏡 Now, we're committed to doing a better job of sharing our learnings with you. One way we're doing that is by launching a THC Beverage page to answer questions like: - Why has MN's THC drink market become so popular? - What are the different types of THC beverages? - How THC beverages are made? - How long do THC beverages take to kick in? - How do THC drinks compare to booze? - Who drinks THC beverages? - What are some of the most popular THC beverage brands for sale in MN? This page will evolve, improve, and have more information over time. But for now, we wanted consumers and brands to have a 'hub' to learn more about THC beverages. In addition to this pillar page, we've put together specific brand pages so shoppers can learn more about each brand. However, we don't know every brand's story or how every brand likes to talk about their own products. 🤷♂️ So, if you're a THC beverage partner of ours at Hemp House, please give us your feedback on the pillar page and brand pages - you know where to find us. We've seen the explosive growth of the THC beverage category firsthand, and we want to do everything we can to continue to fuel that growth. 🚀 Big thank you to our partners: Cann Cantrip Cheech and Chong’s Cannabis Company Crested River Crooked Beverage Company Cycling Frog FIND WUNDER Happi Gigli Gus Dean Coffee Keef Brands Lupulin Brewing LLC Minny Grown Modist Brewing Co. North Canna Co. Stigma Grow Trail Magic WYNK™ Seltzer + THC OFFFIELD Fizzy THC Granny's Edibles High Spirits Beverages Lastly, PSA, don't forget all the boots on the ground, lobbyists, activists, and others who made this dream, and market, a reality. Without those trailblazers, we would not have a model for every other state to follow. #thcbeverages #hemp #cannabisbeverage #drinkcannabis

*Uh, it's been a big week for THC-drink stories! America’s most broadly available recreational drug is CH₃CH₂OH, better known as ethanol. It’s in every alcoholic beverage, from hard seltzer to mezcal, hazy IPAs, red wine, and those plastic bottles of Fireball. But sales of beer and wine are sliding, and fewer members of Generation Z are coming of age at keg parties. Nonalcoholic breweries and brands (Athletic Brewing, Guinness 0) and prebiotic soda makers (Olipop, Poppi) are gaining popularity, and bars and restaurants are curating compelling menus of alcohol-free cocktails. The industry buzz isn’t one. Or maybe it just needs a molecular makeover. Breweries like Urban South and Indeed, cideries such as 1911, and upstart beverage companies such as Cann and Pamos are producing drinks containing C₂₁H₃₀O₂, or THC, derived from cannabis and its cousin hemp. (The chemical makeup of THC is identical in both plants.) The drinks, which are sold to 21-and-up consumers, cut away cannabis stigmas by eliminating the divisive elements, such as a joint’s smoke or getting too stoned after eating edibles, and recasting cannabis as a micro-dose drink with around two to five milligrams of THC per serving—about as intoxicating as a light lager. For my latest feature in Imbibe magazine (print, May/June), I took a deep dive into the dizzying world of cannabevs, a landscape that's shifting by the week as laws evolve. In short, where there's no smoke, there's less ire and, perhaps, a bigger desire to try a THC beverage. Anyone get a chance to check out the article in Imbibe?

🌿 Exciting News from The Drinkable Company! 🌿 At THE DRINKABLE COMPANY we celebrate beverage in all its forms. Led by our founder, Mark Mahoney, a seasoned serial beverage entrepreneur with nearly four decades of industry experience, we're committed to crafting the highest quality, best tasting, and most enjoyable cannabis drinks on the market. Mark's journey into the cannabis space began in 2022, spurred by the loss of his lifelong friend and business partner to terminal cancer. Inspired by the plant's potential health benefits, Mark significantly reduced his alcohol consumption and embarked on a mission to create a healthier alternative. With inquiries from customers not finding our products in dispensaries anymore, we thought it was about high time to share the big news with y'all!! Today, we're thrilled to announce the launch of our hemp-derived Delta-9 THC beverages, available for direct delivery to your doorstep on our website – https://lnkd.in/eNtEbqTA. Or for retailers, you can order wholesale on our Airgoods page — https://lnkd.in/eCRPeuFZ. Our carefully curated lineup includes: 🥤 Swivel Sodas (Root Beer, Cola, and Orange Soda) 🆕 Swivel Seltzers (Black Cherry, Lemon, and Grapefruit) 🍵 Tiger Teas (Chill Strawberry Acai and Energy Wildberry Hibiscus) 🎉 Our latest addition—Swivel Beverage Enhancer Drops in Lime and Tropical Punch! Due to legalities, our hemp-derived Delta-9 beverages won't ship to every state— but if you are in CA, FL, IN, IA, KY, MA, ME, NJ, NM, OH, OK, RI, TX, WV, WI, WY, LA, MN, TN, UT, AZ, AK, DE, IL, MO, NE, SD then you are in luck! As the demand for non-alcoholic beverages and the acceptance of hemp-derived products grow, infused drinks offer a perfect solution for those seeking a buzz without the negative effects of alcohol.  Our hemp-infused THC beverages put the power of flexibility in your hands, and are perfectly formulated to make you feel good — from first sip to tomorrow’s sunrise! #hempderived #beverages #thedrinkablecompany #delta9 #cannabis #newproducts #paradigmshift

Beer is a low-alcohol beverage by nature, and brewers have made major investments to craft, promote, and distribute lower- and no-alcohol beers. When consumers choose to drink beer instead of higher-strength beverages, they may drink the same number of beverages but consume less alcohol overall. Learn how this substitution effect supports #moderation and how differentiated #alcoholpolicy can help improve global #publichealth in our new Devex op-ed. https://lnkd.in/gzPk8FpT #WHA #UNGA #GlobalGoals #publicpolicy #SDGs

Could THC-infused drinks (like Hi-Fi Hops from Lagunitas ) take the place of your favorite IPA during happy hour? Here's what to know about cannabis-infused beverages and how they make you feel.