cannabis sales.”
The edibles market includes a wide range of product types, such as cannabis-infused beverages, gummies, brownies, candy or mints. Most states that have legalized adult-use cannabis restrict the amount of THC to five or 10 milligrams per serving, while other states allow for higher amounts of THC for medical users.
According to a report from ResearchAndMarkets. com, the global cannabis edibles market was valued at $ 5 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $ 9 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 12.26 %.
THE MAKING OF EDIBLES
How can someone take a plant and turn it into a delectable snack or beverage that’ s infused with other mouth-watering flavors? Rebecca Mariolis-Baker, CEO and co-founder of cannabis brand Urmawm, describes the step-by-step infusion process for her brand:
1. Cannabinoid Activation( Decarboxylation). First, Urmawm starts with cannabis extracts that contain THC and CBD in their raw, non-psychoactive forms( THCA and CBDA). Through gentle heat, they activate these compounds via decarboxylation, making them effective when ingested.
2. Infusion Into MCT Oil. Next, they blend the activated cannabinoids into MCT oil derived from coconut. This oil is ideal for edibles because it’ s flavor-neutral, shelf-stable and rapidly absorbed by the body, improving cannabinoid bioavailability.
3. Homogenization( Even Distribution). The infused MCT oil is emulsified with Urmawm’ s gummy base to ensure even cannabinoid distribution. This step is crucial, since it guarantees that each gummy delivers a consistent dose.
4. Cooking the Gummy Base. Urmawm’ s vegan-friendly formula uses pectin instead of gelatin. They mix organic sugar, tapioca syrup, mango juice concentrate and natural flavors to create a fruit-forward, soft texture. The infused oil is then incorporated into the warm blend.
5. Molding, Setting and Packaging. The mixture is poured into molds, cooled and quality-checked for consistency, potency and texture. Final packaging includes accurate dosing and federally compliant labeling.
Peter Barsoom, founder and CEO of 1906, says his brand utilizes a slightly different technique to infuse the brand’ s gummies. Instead, he uses a lipid microencapsulation process that significantly enhances the pharmacokinetics of THC, which does three things:
1. It accelerates bioavailability, so users feel the effect in under 20 minutes.
2. It bypasses the liver, avoiding the conversion of THC into 11−hydroxy, which is a metabolite associated with the heavy, sedative experience common in traditional edibles. Instead, 1906’ s formulation delivers a fast, clear-headed Delta−9 experience similar to inhalation. 3. It reduces duration, from six hours to roughly 2−3 hours.“ This formulation gives consumers greater control over onset, intensity and duration— key factors in reducing risk and improving user experience,” Barsoom says.
“ Cannabis edibles are produced through different methodologies and use different mediums of cannabis extract to infuse the cannabinoids into the product,” adds Brandon Dorsky, CEO and owner of Fruit Slabs.“ The production of edibles within the regulated market is differentiated primarily by the use of solvent-less vs. solvent-extracted products to infuse the product. Solvent extracted products are typically made using distillate that is extracted through various methodologies, including ethanol based extractions as well as CO2 extraction.”
Solvent extracted products are highly predictable to work with and reproduceable at scale, according to Dorsky. Solventless extraction is more of an artisan methodology, and solventless edibles tend to be made using fresh rosin. The use of rosin within edibles tends to be seen mostly in craft edibles.
“ The edibles market in the U. S. is currently very strong, with gummies leading the category,” says Sarah McLaughlin MS, RD, co-founder and vice president of Melt-to-Make.“ Interestingly, women now represent the majority of edible consumers, reflecting the category’ s appeal across wellness and lifestyle segments.”
EDIBLES PRESENT DIVERSE APPEAL
One particularly positive aspect that edibles bring to the cannabis market is their diverse appeal. They’ re travel friendly and great for consumers who prefer not to smoke.
Edibles are particularly popular with certain demographics. Older age groups and female customers, as McLaughlin mentioned earlier, tend to have a greater affinity for edibles compared to other cannabis categories.
“ Edibles are one of the fastest-growing cannabis categories, www. beveragedynamics. com Fall 2025 • Beverage Dynamics 33