As director of the Coalition of Adult Beverage Alternatives, Diana Eberlein is on the frontlines of this fight. In her free time, she zealously advocates for the acceptance of hemp-fueled drinks into the market. The Coalition acts as an advocate for the hemp beverage industry, sober curious movement, and alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. With the increasing popularity of THC seltzers, gaining awareness of the regulatory framework and potential health impacts is crucial.
As of this writing, 18 states have passed regulations related to hemp products. Many of these rules mirror regulations found in the alcohol industry, reflecting a shift in how lawmakers view cannabis-infused beverages. The 2018 farm bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump, legalized industrial hemp at the federal level, paving the way for various hemp-derived products, including THC seltzers.
The Legal Landscape of Hemp
Cannabis plants containing less than 0.3% THC are considered hemp. Conversely, plants with higher concentrations of THC are generally defined as marijuana. The Cannabis sativa plant is unique in its production of important chemical compounds known as cannabinoids, the most studied of which are THC and CBD. That hemp vs. marijuana difference is very important. It essentially shapes the legal status and marketability of all cannabis-related products.
Eberlein’s Coalition is at ongoing work to help shape the policies that will define how hemp beverage products will be regulated. By collaborating with industry stakeholders, the Coalition aims to create a framework that allows for safe consumption while ensuring compliance with existing regulations. As more states pass regulations like these, the market for THC seltzers will continue to grow.
The Science Behind THC Seltzers
Similar to alcoholic seltzers, THC seltzers are available in a wide assortment of potencies. They range from 2.5 mg all the way up to 100 mg of THC per serving. This wide range gives consumers the opportunity to pick the product that will best suit the experience they are looking for. Those who might be tempted to use these drinks should understand the downside to these drinks. Staci Gruber, director of the Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Core at McLean Hospital —who has studied marijuana’s impacts on the developing brain—cautions against imbibing in THC seltzers. She explains how they can lead to a racing heart, nausea, and heightened anxiety or feelings of paranoia.
Consumers are choosing THC seltzers over beer and other alcohol options. It is important to understand their impacts and identify the proper dosages. For the sake of public safety, consumers should be advised to begin with lower potencies to get a sense of their individual reactions before consuming more.
Market Trends and Consumer Preferences
This understandable affinity for THC seltzers display stark thematic similarities to the rest of the adult beverage marketplace. As consumers seek non-alcohol options that deliver something unique from an alcohol social atmosphere, hemp beverages have quickly come to market to satisfy rising consumer interest in hemp as an alternative. They offer a special new form of unwind minus the classic, cringe-worthy alcohol-related hangovers.
Now, states are working to develop standards and regulations for hemp and cannabis-derived products. Therefore, the market for THC seltzers will soon undergo a seismic shift. The Coalition of Adult Beverage Alternatives focuses on meaningful responsible consumption messages. They must set a mandate that all products are safe by design.
