phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES MARCH 17TH– MARCH 23RD, 2022 State Licensed Dispensaries & Doctor Certifications | CANNABIS | Cann Buzzy Water Cannabis-infused drinks are bubbling over. BY CYRUS GUCCIONE T ake a stroll past the drink freezers at the grocery store and gawk at the endless selec- tion of wellness beverages. Kombucha, nitro coffee, matcha, and seltzers line the freezer in neat colorful order ready for your choosing. Now, cannabis-infused drinks are gaining popularity as wellness products. Brands boast of low-sugar content and antimicrobial properties, expanding their market share in the diverse world of well- ness drinks, with no signs of stopping. According to a 2020 report by Grand View Research, a market research and consulting firm headquartered in San Francisco, the global cannabis beverage market size was valued at $901.8 million in 2018 and is expected to expand to a whop- ping $2.84 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate of 17.8 percent. The surge in cannabis-infused beverage sales is fueled by growing consumer demand for wellness drinks, alternative ways to consume cannabis, and an influx of investment from beverage manufacturers looking to capitalize on the greater accessi- bility of cannabis. The marijuana beverage market is segmented into cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) infusion. Most beverages sold in dispensaries will contain some form of THC, the psychoac- tive ingredient that differs from the hemp- derived CBD. Other retailers such as supermarkets, convenience stores, and Cann makes cannabis-infused social tonics smoke shops will sell strictly CBD-infused beverages, which are generally considered safe for consumption for all ages. “While flower is the largest category in Arizona, market share has decreased from 52.6 percent in January [2021] to 44.9 percent in September,” concludes a 2021 Arizona marijuana market-share report by Headset, a cannabis consumer trends and market intelligence site. BDSA, a market research center with expertise in the legal cannabis market, cites a 24 percent growth in sales for edibles across the country from 2019 to 2020. While only 5 percent of those dollars are spent on beverages, the reduction in market share for bud is being replaced in part by cannabis-infused beverages, marking a shift in consumer interest. Crystal Torres, who works at Harvest HOC of North Mesa dispensary, says that cannabis-infused beverages account for about 1 to 2 percent of daily sales there. But she has noticed a growing interest in consuming cannabis in liquid form. “We just released these last week and they seem to be moving fairly well,” she says of a new product from Wynk, a THC-infused flavored seltzer. The 8.4-ounce drink comes in a pack of four for $20, which contains 2.5 milligrams each of THC and CBD per can. It comes in three flavors and boasts zero calories and an onset time of 20 minutes. The market is dominated by nonalco- holic refreshments. Lagunitas, Heineken’s fast-growing California beer label, launched a CBD- and THC-infused sparkling water called Hi-Fi Hops in 2018 that gets you high with 10 mg of THC in a 12-ounce drink, or a more mellow option of 5 mg each of CBD and THC. Last June, The Alkaline Water Company released its line of CBD Water that contains 20 mg of CBD in a 16.9-ounce bottle. And last month, one of the newest players in the cannabis beverage >> p 69 67
