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As recreational marijuana legalization becomes a reality in more U.S. states, the interest in cannabis beverages is on the rise. The hemp and CBD category is expected to be a $1billion market by 2020 in the U.S. according to a report by Brightfield Group.
There is a lot to know about the world of cannabis-infused beverages, and the legal implications in a changing regulatory environment don’t make it any easier to keep up. Here’s a high-level look at how cannabis and beverages are coming together, and what to watch for as the market develops.
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Innovation in Cannabis Beverages
Medical and recreational cannabis sales are predicted to hit $11.7 billion this year and grow $25 billion in seven years. Compare that to the $38 billion in U.S. beer sales last year, and you can understand why both established beverage companies and beverage entrepreneurs are taking a closer look at methods and formulas for infusing CBD and THC into beverages.
You can watch the innovation unfolding as CBD-infused products like CBD Living Water, Two Flowers IPA, SteepFuze CBD Coffee, and Cannawine and THC products like Strawberry Lemonade Cannabis Quencher, Legal Sparkling Tonic, and Sprig Soda hit the market and find their fans.
Cannabis, Hemp, Marijuana…What’s the Difference?
To understand the variation in products and ingredients and how they can be sold and marketed in different states and countries, it’s important to clarify the terminology. Many people may think that the words, cannabis, hemp, and marijuana are interchangeable; but hemp and marijuana are two separate plants within the cannabis family. The plants look different and require different growing conditions, but the most significant difference between the two is in the cannabinoids they contain.
Cannabinoids, THC, CBD, and Terpenes
The cannabis plant consists of a wide variety of chemicals and compounds (cannabinoids). Cannabis (marijuana) contains high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid that is most known for its psychoactive properties.
Hemp, on the other hand, has only trace amounts of THC, but more substantial quantities of Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive cannabis compound that can actually counteract the psychoactivity of THC. Terpenes are the organic hydrocarbons responsible for the aroma of cannabis.
Are Cannabis Beverages Legal?
Determining what’s legal and illegal when it comes to making, selling, and consuming cannabis is a difficult task, and the rules change as new laws are passed. CBD derived from marijuana is federally illegal, but legal in states that have passed medical or adult use reform laws.
CBD hemp oil derived from industrial hemp is legal in most states. However, adding CBD to food or drinks is federally illegal according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Cannabis beverages can only be sold legally in states with recreational marijuana laws that permit them. Adding CBD to alcohol or any other consumable is not technically legal anywhere in the US, despite its popular marketing.
How to Make Cannabis and CBD Drinks
Only a few producers have created beverages infused with THC for sales within states that have legalized cannabis. Most, if not all, of those, are non-alcoholic. But more and more companies are exploring CBD-infused alcoholic beverages with the intention of selling them across state lines.
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has outlined the requirements for processing domestic hemp products, whose formulation and process must be approved, along with the label before it can be sold.
Generally, once a brewer gets a formula and label approved, it will be permitted to sell across state lines pursuant to local laws. Getting approval will be the key to avoiding the risk of receiving a cease-and-desist letter like the one that Invasive Species Brewing received recently after launching craft beer infused with cannabis terpenes oil.
It is tempting to jump in on the cannabis beverage trend, but there are unique and dynamic challenges that come along with developing a sustainable and profitable CBD beverage. Having a comprehensive operational plan and the right support to execute and adjust when needed are vital elements to every beverage’s success.
Final Thoughts on CBD, THC, and Alcohol
While cannabis beverages sound like a fun idea, it is important to stop and ask yourself “Why?” Is it really a good idea to add cannabinoids to drinks? Will it get you the effect you desire?
Sadly, while these products are fun and new, they can lack effectiveness. Cannabis drinks will likely have enough THC for you to feel something. However, CBD and THC do not work the same in the body. They are absorbed differently, and at best you will only get about 10% of the mg CBD in the container absorbed into your bloodstream. This low bioavailability means that CBD drinks in particular are just not a good value.
The second factor to be aware of before trying cannabis beverages is that there are serious health and safety concerns! When mixed with alcohol, cannabinoids can cause liver damage and inflammation. While trying cannabis drinks may be fun, it is definitely not something that is safe to consume regularly, which is why many states have explicitly banned them.
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