As established cannabis markets mature—and others open up across the U.S.—manufacturers and brand owners are launching a variety of infused food and beverage products to meet consumers’ needs.

From sparkling waters and beverage enhancers, to baked goods, gummies and other confections, the market features an array of convenient, discrete and odorless product options. But aside from turning to applications across food and beverage categories, developers have innovated further over the last year, introducing products designed for specific mood states and consumption occasions, as well as those capitalizing on the benefits of minor cannabinoids.

In 2020 Cresco Labs, Chicago, brought its new Good News line of gummies to dispensaries in states where it’s operational. With names like Me Time, Brunch, Friyay and Vegas, the gummies celebrate social experiences that allow consumers to let loose—responsibly.

“There are many social occasions that exist today where cannabis is currently not playing a major role and has historically not been marketed to socially-minded consumers like beer, wine, and spirits have always been,” says Greg Butler, chief commercial officer, Cresco Labs. “With Good News, we’re focused on making cannabis approachable and fun. Cannabis is increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives and playing a larger role during occasions where we want a little ‘me time,’ to laugh, and find ways to have a break during these difficult times.”

With the global coronavirus pandemic, political unrest, and economic uncertainty compounding common sleep issues, consumers are looking toward cannabis for relief. In July, BDSA, Boulder, CO, reported consumers who prefer edibles tend to use them to promote sleep and relaxation and manage anxiety and stress.

Last year Kiva Confections, Oakland, CA, and PLUS Products, Inc., San Mateo, CA, launched gummies designed to encourage sleep. Kiva’s Camino Midnight Blueberry gummies pair tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), chamomile, lavender, and the terpenes myrcene, linalool, and beta-caryophyllene, with cannabinol (CBN), a minor cannabinoid known to promote relaxation. Plus Products’ gummies combine CBN with THC, cannabidiol (CBD) and melatonin.

“Almost 50 million people in the U.S. suffer from insomnia,” says Jake Heimark, Plus Products CEO and co-founder, citing research published in SleepMed. “It’s no surprise we hear all the time that one of the top things people look for when they walk into a licensed retailer is something to help them sleep.”

Along with CBN, cannabigerol (CBG) is appearing in more product launches, thanks to its ability to temper the psychoactive effects of THC, among other potential benefits.

“In 2020, CBG just started to get popular,” says Mark Elfenbein, chief revenue officer, Socati Corp, Austin, TX. “CBG has been used in many use cases including relaxation, cognitive performance, etc. Today, we are seeing pure CBG products being introduced as well.”

Last year, Tauriga Sciences introduced CBG gum in Peach-Lemon and Black Current varieties with 80 mg and 120 mg of CBG isolate per pack, respectively. Meanwhile, Crappy’s Feel Better Hemp Co. is joining CBG with CBD and CBN in chewable tablets to address three concerns: social jitters, sagging energy, and hangover symptoms.

Along with CBN, cannabigerol (CBG) is appearing in more product launches, thanks to its ability to temper the psychoactive effects of THC, among other potential benefits.

“In 2020, CBG just started to get popular,” says Mark Elfenbein, chief revenue officer, Socati Corp, Austin, TX. “CBG has been used in many use cases including relaxation, cognitive performance, etc. Today, we are seeing pure CBG products being introduced as well.”

Last year, Tauriga Sciences introduced CBG gum in Peach-Lemon and Black Current varieties with 80 mg and 120 mg of CBG isolate per pack, respectively. Meanwhile, Crappy’s Feel Better Hemp Co. is joining CBG with CBD and CBN in chewable tablets to address three concerns: social jitters, sagging energy, and hangover symptoms.

“Last year, we redefined ourselves as Molson Coors Beverage Company and in doing so, laid out a clear vision of leveraging the competitive strengths of our storied foundation in beer to grow in new spaces beyond the beer aisle,” said Pete Marino, president of the emerging growth division, Molson Coors. “Truss’ entry into the CBD market in Colorado and the launch of Veryvell, a brand we believe will resonate well with Colorado consumers, is another example of Molson Coors’ expansion into new beverage categories.”

As consumers and governments become more accepting of cannabis, and manufacturers have greater access to high-quality ingredients and development expertise, new, innovative products will continue to bolster cannabis markets.

Product Description: ALT (Advanced Liquid Technology) has introduced a liquid cannabis beverage enhancement that can be added to any drink for a customizable experience.

Available in 5 mg and 10 mg THC formulations, ALT’s sugar-free liquid is designed to offer all the benefits of cannabis without the drawbacks of other delivery methods.

ALT’s proprietary water-compatible formulation makes it simple to customize doses. Its liquid delivery method allows for faster onset and offset through the salivary glands, before traveling through the digestive tract. Using nanotechnology, the particle size of cannabis is decreased, leading to faster and more effective absorption into the body. Because of the high bioavailability of the product, users can expect an initial onset time of 5-15 minutes on average.

The easy-to-use, pre-measured markings on the sides of the vials and dose-control cap—1mg cap for the 5 mg vials and 2 mg cap for the 10 mg vials—make it easy for the consumer to know how much THC they are taking at a time. ALT vials are durable, clear, and resealable.

ALT THC Beverage Enhancer

Company: ALT

Website: www.altlife.com

Introduced: December 2020

Distribution: California

Product Description: Artet has entered the ready-to-drink category with the launch of two signature canned cocktails, Rosemary Jane and Tet & Tonic.

Both Rosemary Jane and Tet & Tonic feature Artet’s flagship aperitif as the foundational "spirit" and build upon it with thoughtfully selected juices, natural extracts, and tonics. Each canned cocktail contains 5 mg THC and 5 mg CBD.

Rosemary Jane is zesty, refreshing and elegantly sessionable with the warming notes of Artet working in harmony with a blend of Italian grapefruit juice, young rosemary simple syrup, and sparkling water.

Tet & Tonic is an ode to the timeless sundowner cocktail, the juniper, gentian, and cardamom botanicals of Artet are paired beautifully with a custom chamomile-infused tonic and a squeeze of lemon.

Ready-To-Drink Cocktails

Company: Artet

Website: www.artet.com

Introduced: December 2020

Distribution: California

Product Description: Speckled with sprinkles, these vanilla-flavored cake batter cookies each contain 10 mg THC from either Indica or Sativa strains. Each cookie also contains less than 0.2 mg CBD. Big Pete’s Treats uses cannabis sourced from Santa Cruz, California.

Birthday Cake Mini Cookies

Company: Big Pete’s Treats

Website: www.bigpetestreats.com

Introduced: July 2020

Distribution: California

CBD, CBG, CBN Chewable Tablets

Company: Crappy’s Feel Better Hemp Co.

Website: www.crappysfeelbetter.com

Introduced: August 2020

Distribution: Nationwide

Product Description: Crappy’s Chewable Tablets come in three socially-oriented formulas: Party Prep, Hangover Helper, and Fade Fighter. Crappy’s Party Prep tablets contain a combination of CBG and CBD to combat social anxiety and ease pre-function jitters. Crappy’s Hangover Helper uses a blend of CBG, CBD and CBN to provide relief after a long evening of drinking. Fade Fighter contains CBG and CBD, allowing for a focused pick-me-up that gets consumers through their workday or workout.

All three varieties of the Crappy’s Feel Better tablets come in a trial pack, retailing for $5, that allows consumers to test out three tablets before purchasing a full 25-tablet bottle, which retails for $35. All tablets are THC-free, vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

Product Description: The Good News brand does not require a consumer to understand the complexity of terpenes and strains, instead relying on formulations with specific, easy-to-understand mindsets and benefits. The product line includes gummy edibles featuring 100 mg packs with ten 10-mg pieces per pack.

Each product is sold in approachable packaging and crafted with consumers’ desired mood in mind—Me Time (Blue Raspberry, Indica), Brunch (Orange, Hybrid), Friyay (Watermelon, Sativa) and Vegas (Sparkling White Grape, Sativa).

Good News Gummies

Company: Cresco Labs

Website: www.wearegoodnews.co

Introduced: September 2020

Distribution: Illinois, California, Michigan

Hemp-Infused Hot Drink Mixes

Company: Kefla Organics

Website: www.keflaorganics.com

Introduced: October 2020

Distribution: Nationwide

Product Description: Kefla’s Organic Hemp-Infused Drink Mixes are formulated to deliver the combined benefits of active cannabinoids and exotic organic ingredients. Kefla incorporates mushrooms in the Chai Latte and Golden Latte mixes. Long touted for their benefits, Resihi and Lion’s Mane mushroom extracts add not only a unique flavor but added wellness qualities.

Kefla’s Chai Latte mix offers a harmonious blend of spices including cinnamon, ginger, and allspice with the added bonus of 825 mg organic reishi extract 4:1 and 25 mg organic CBD per 8-oz. serving.

Traditional Ayurvedic spices turmeric and ginger meet ancient Eastern practice with this combination of 1,000 mg Lion's Mane extract 4:1 and 25 mg organic hemp CBD per 8-oz. serving.

The Hot Cocoa mix includes Fairtrade-certified cacao, coconut sugar, coconut milk powder, and organic hemp CBD. Consumers can add hot water, milk, or go mocha by adding to organic coffee. One serving makes an 8-oz. drink with 25 mg CBD.

Product Description: Kiva Confections has unveiled Lost Farm, the first edibles brand made with strain-specific, 100 percent live resin.

Lost Farm is geared toward experienced cannabis consumers and offers the kind of full-sensory cannabis experience usually exclusively available to smokers. The effects from Lost Farm edibles will feel richer, brighter, and more complex in comparison to traditional edibles.

Within two hours of harvest, cannabis flower is flash-frozen to preserve its rich flavors and complex aromas. Then, the flower is delicately extracted to create the most true-to-the-plant cannabis extract possible: live resin. Live resin retains cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes normally lost in most extraction methods.

Lost Farm's debut collection of products will first feature three fruit gummy flavors, with fruit chew flavors launching in February 2021. Both chews and gummies will feature 10 mg THC per serving and 100 mg THC per package.

Lost Farm Edibles

Company: Kiva Confections

Website: www.kivaconfections.com

Introduced: October 2020

Distribution: California

Pabst Blue Ribbon Cannabis-Infused Seltzer

Company: Pabst Labs

Website: www.pabstlabs.com

Introduced: October 2020

Distribution: California

Product Description: The famed Pabst Blue Ribbon adorns the can of a non-alcoholic THC-infused seltzer developed by Pabst Labs, a group of cannabis beverage experts and former Pabst Brewing Company employees who were granted the rights to create a line of cannabis-infused drinks under the Pabst Blue Ribbon name.

Each 12-oz. can of Pabst Blue Ribbon Cannabis Infused Seltzer contains 5 mg THC, 4 grams of sugar and 25 calories. It contains no preservatives. While Lemon is the only flavor available during the initial launch, additional flavors are already in development.

Product Description: Papa & Barkley has launched Releaf Chocolates, a line of premium edibles made with Fair Trade-certified ingredients and solventless fresh-pressed rosin.

The bars are soy-free, non-GMO, Whole Plant Full Spectrum, and available in Milk Chocolate and 66% Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt.

The brand's chocolates feature a hint of cannabis flavor, a trademark of Guy Rocourt, president and chief product officer, who says, "the goal was to create a delicious, high-quality edible that honors the plant by maintaining its integrity and flavor, a component we believe consumers will actively seek out as the industry matures further."

Each of Papa & Barkley's Releaf Chocolate bars contains 100 mg THC, with 5 mg of cannabinoids per piece. Each bar retails for $18 and is available online and in leading California dispensaries.

Releaf Chocolates

Company: Papa & Barkley

Website: www.papaandbarkley.com

Introduced: November 2020

Distribution: California

Sleep Gummies with CBN

Company: PLUS Products Inc.

Website: www.plusproductsinc.com

Introduced: September 2020

Distribution: California

Product Description: PLUS’s SLEEP gummies are scientifically formulated with a precise blend of THC, CBN, CBD, and melatonin intended to help consumers fall asleep quickly and enjoy a full, restful night’s sleep.

Made with all-natural colors and flavors, each gummy has 0.7 grams of sugar and 5 calories. They’re available in two formulations: Sleep Cloudberry, with 5 mg THC, 1 mg CBN, and 1 mg CBD; and CBNRelief Lychee, with 1 mg THC, 2 mg CBN, and 3 mg CBD.

Product Description: Rebel Coast’s existing products, a sauvignon blanc and rosé, now feature a new, refreshed brand look in ready-to-drink, easy-to-carry cans. The Sauvage and Pink Passion beverages are now offered in sparkling blends, with the Sauvage featuring a Sativa-dominant hybrid blend and the Pink Passion featuring an Indica-dominant blend.

The Rebel Coast portfolio has also expanded to include three bubbly seltzers in Black Cherry, Lemon Lime and Mixed Berry flavors. Each 12-oz. product contains 10 mg THC.

THC-Infused Sparkling Wine Blends, Seltzers

Company: Rebel Coast

Website: www.rebelcoast.com

Introduced: April 2020

Distribution: California

Ripple QuickSticks

Company: Stillwater Brands

Website: www.stillwater.life

Introduced: June 2020

Distribution: Colorado

Product Description: The Stillwater team designed QuickSticks with a novel delivery method featuring flavors that dissolve immediately on the tongue, creating an entirely different consumption experience.

QuickSticks are available in three varieties: Pure, a Blueberry Pom flavor with 10 mg THC per packet; Balanced, a Gingerberry flavor with 5 mg THC and 5 mg CBD per packet; and Relief, a Mint Chocolate flavor with 20 mg CBD and 0.5 mg THC per packet. They are all-natural and gluten-free, with zero calories and zero sugar.

Ripple’s research and development team has performed clinical studies on rate of absorption and bioavailability, finding that Ripple products have THC absorption within 15 minutes and CBD that is 650 percent more bioavailable within 15 minutes.

Product Description: Each blister pack of CBG Tauri-Gum contains eight tablets. It’s available in Peach-Lemon flavor, with 80 mg per pack (10 mg per piece), and a Black Currant flavor, with 120 mg per pack (15 mg per piece).

Tauri-Gum is kosher-certified, vegan, Non-GMO, gluten-free and allergen-free. The suggested retail price has been set at $19.99 per blister pack or $199.99 per retail box.

CBG Tauri-Gum

Company: Tauriga Sciences, Inc.

Website: www.taurigum.com

Introduced: March 2020

Distribution: Nationwide

Delta-8-THC Sparkling Beverages

Company: WUNDER

Website: www.findwunder.com

Introduced: July 2020

Distribution: California

Product Description: Powered by Vertosa, each 8-oz. can of WUNDER is infused with micro-emulsified cannabis extract containing 8 mg of cannabinoids in microscopic droplets that can be absorbed sublingually, allowing the effects to be felt in as few as 15 minutes after consuming.

Available in three flavors—Watermelon Wave, Lemon Ginger Lift, and Blood Orange Bliss—each can is precisely dosed with 2 mg THC, 2 mg Delta-8-THC and 4 mg CBD. WUNDER brings to market the first beverage to include Delta-8-THC, a cannabinoid known for its low psychoactive effects, as well as promoting body relaxation and presence of mind.

Best served chilled—straight from the can or over ice—all three flavors have been crafted with real fruit juice and all-natural ingredients. WUNDER has a maximum of 60 calories per can.

Product Description: Veryvell is a hemp-derived, adaptogenic, sparkling CBD water with zero calories and zero sugar. The line features three flavors: Focus, Mind & Body, and Unwind.

Veryvell’s three varieties are each infused with 20 mg of hemp-derived, non-psychoactive CBD and adaptogens:
● Focus: Grapefruit and tarragon with ginseng and guarana
● Mind & Body: Strawberry and hibiscus with ashwagandha and elderberry
● Unwind: Blueberry and lavender with ashwagandha and L-Theanine

Veryvell marks Truss CBD USA’s first entry in the American CBD market and is another example of Molson Coors’ moves to cultivate the company’s beverage offerings.

Veryvell is available in a variety of SKUs, including individual 12-oz. cans and 4-packs, as well as online-exclusive 8-packs and 12-can variety packs. The suggested retail price for a 12-oz. can is $3.99 and $14.99 for a 4-pack.

Veryvell Sparkling CBD Waters

Company: Truss CBD USA

Website: www.trusscbdusa.com

Introduced: January 2021

Distribution: Colorado