Georgia-based Scofflaw Brewing recently launched a line of THC-infused beverages , which are sold at their tap rooms , in stores throughout Georgia and shortly throughout the Southeast .
law in May 2024 , restricts THC-infused beverages to only be sold at state-licensed liquor stores and cannabis retailers . Under the new law , which went into effect July 1 , intoxicating hemp products no longer may be sold at gas stations and convenience stores .
WHERE ’ S THE DATA ?
The consumer demographic for cannabis-infused beverages is wide-ranging and ubiquitous . Similar to alcohol , “ almost every demographic is drawn to cannabis in some capacity ,” according to Adam Terry , CEO of THC drinks brand Cantrip .
“ It is inside the specific flavors , beverage types and dosing strengths that you begin to taste out which demographics prefer which products , but the ingredient as a whole has an incredibly broad audience ,” Terry continues . “ We are finding that low-dose , low-sugar beverages are more attractive to young professionals , and that middose , flavorful sodas appeal to folks [ age ] 45−plus .”
With the cannabis industry still in its early stages , many businesses have struggled to gather market data . But certain brands can accumulate the information they do know : how well their beverages sell and who buys them .
“ Our customers seem to be consuming cannabis beverages after 5:30 p . m ., and even sometimes after 7:30 p . m .,” says Fable Libations ’ CEO Ben Kennedy . By working with a team of chefs , mixologists and food scientists , Fable ’ s cannabis-infused cannabis drinks have won several awards at the 2024 Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America Access Live event . They were also featured as the first THC beverage company at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic conference .
Kennedy hypothesizes that users consume their beverages at night to relax and decompress after a long day .
“ In our case , the CBD works with the THC to amplify those relaxed feelings , giving users a great night ’ s sleep ,” he
www . beveragedynamics . com Winter 2024 • Beverage Dynamics 23