THC Beverage Market Growing Like a Weed

North America Leading Trend to THC Beverages

Cannabis beverages make up about 2 percent of the legal marijuana market today. However, infused THC beverages are forecast to grow into a multi-billion dollar business in less than 10 years.

The compound annual growth rate for cannabis drinks is projected to be 37.3 percent, according to a report by Future Market Insights. That will make it an $8.3 industry by 2032.

North America is expected to lead the way as the legalization of marijuana continues to expand. Canada decriminalized pot in 2018 nationwide. So far, 21 states and the District of Columbia have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, according to MJ Biz Daily. Medical use of marijuana is legal in 39 states. Many states in both categories allow THC-infused drinks.

From Brownies to Drinks

The idea of stuffing dope in food is not new. Perhaps the best-known and earliest example in the Western world is “The Alice B. Toklas Cookbook” published in 1954.

On a deadline and short of enough recipes to finish the book, Toklas asked friends for help. One of those friends, writer, and artist Brion Gysin, gave her his recipe for hashish-filled fudge. That became known as Alice B. Toklas brownies. Hashish is made from the resin of cannabis plants.

While virtually any food or drink can be infused with THC or CBD, perhaps the most popular product is cannabis gummies. In 2021, gummies made up 70 percent of the legal marijuana edibles market.

More recently, THC beverages have begun gaining favor. Iced teas, mocktails, beers, and wines dosed with THC only make up about two percent of the market. However, as major brewers scramble to get into the game, consumers will have a wider range of options from trusted brands. That is expected to boost consumption.

In recent years, Anheuser-Busch, Pabst, Samuel Adams, Heineken, and other stalwarts either have or are considering entering the market. They join a legion of smaller local brewers who have made the crossover.

No Standardization

One headwind to THC beverage growth is a lack of industry standards for content.

In late January, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to develop rules for cannabis products.

“Today we are announcing that after careful review, the FDA has concluded that a new regulatory pathway for CBD is needed that balances individuals’ desire for access to CBD products with the regulatory oversight needed to manage risks,” the agency said.

Safe Doses

The amount of THC in a drink can range from 2 milligrams up to 100 milligrams. CBD dosage in drinks typically varies from 15 to 30 milligrams.

Though THC and CBD have the same chemical compound, those chemicals are arranged differently. That leads to different effects on the body. CBD produces a feeling of well-being, while THC produces euphoria or a high.

However, extremely high doses of THC can produce sickening side effects, such as nausea, severe vomiting, and even psychosis.

Go Slow

The National Institute of Drug Abuse has established 5 milligrams as the standard for research.

That may seem low when you consider that a gummy typically contains 20 milligrams of THC. However, liquids are absorbed almost instantly while edibles have to be broken down in the digestive process. As a result, the effects of a THC beverage can start in 15 minutes or less. Whereas, an edible product may take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes to have an impact.

Without regulatory standards, many in the industry have issued recommendations to customers.

Sorce Technology, a company that works with brands to infuse their products, recommends that consumers exercise care.

“The bottom line is to always read the label,” writes Dana Perkins, corporate communications specialist with Sorce. “Some beverages offer a dosing ruler on the packaging for the consumer to easily identify how many milligrams are in one serving. The best rule of thumb when trying any product for the first time is to take it slowly and note how you feel after consumption.”

Read More:

Come back to what you love! Dollardig.com is the most reliable cashback site on the web. Just sign up, click, shop, and get full cash back!

Max Erkiletian

Max K. Erkiletian is a seasoned journalist and analytical reporter with nearly 40 years of experience. He has been nominated for several honors and was part of a team that won the Missouri Press Association’s Community Service Award.

His experience has included covering a wide range of topics, from crime reporting to politics and music. His interview subjects have included U.S. Senators, such as Tom Eagleton; economists, such as Arthur Laffer; former Fed Chair Paul Volcker; and musicians, such as Muddy Waters and B. B. King.

Today, he focuses on personal finance, consumer protection, economic shifts, and investment trends. His reporting aims to make complex issues understood and show how events impact consumers’ wallets.