THC Beverages Could Revive Struggling Alcohol Industry, Expert Says: ‘Partying, Stress And Anxiety Haven’t Diminished’
“Partying hasn’t gone down. Stress and anxiety have not diminished, especially with this upcoming election. But the beverages consumers are reaching for have changed, and they’re seeking alternatives,” Diana Eberlein, chair at the Cannabis Beverage Association kicked off the discussion at the recent Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago.
“Hemp-derived THC beverages are playing nicely in the same sandbox as alcohol, while they’re also developing strategies to be the gateway for other cannabis products and supporting the dispensary channel, so everybody in here wins,” Eberlein added.
She moderated the panel titled “Adapting Beverage Distribution for Cannadrinks: Time-Proven Strategies To Drive Success,” hosting experts in the space such as Drea Groeschel, CEO of Better Than Booze; Aaron Nosbisch, founder and CEO of BRĒZ; Brandon Harshbarger; president of Cheech and Chong Global Holdings; and Ben Meggs, CEO and co-founder of Bayou City Hemp.
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THC Beverages To Save The Alcohol Industry
Nosbisch highlighted that cannabis is not the only industry that is struggling, as alcohol sales are going down dramatically. According to him, one of the categories poised for growth are cannabis or hemp beverages that people are just starting to understand, to realize that “this is not really like an edible. This is not really like smoking. …