The possibility that marijuana-infused drinks will someday be swigged alongside beer at a ballgame or in a bar is one step closer to reality.
Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency on Monday, Jan. 4 released anticipated guidelines for THC-infused beverages, which may be available for sale at licensed marijuana stores once approved by the state licensing agency.
This also opens the door to potential imbibing at consumption lounges or during marijuana events. So far, the state hasn’t issued any licenses for lounges or approved any marijuana-infused beverages for sale.
That doesn’t mean companies don’t already have products in the works. Other states with legal medical and recreational marijuana, including Colorado, California and Oregon, have already delved into marijuana drinks.
In preparation, popular Michigan beverage manufacturers have been collaborating with marijuana companies.
“We are thrilled about the addition of cannabis-infused beverages to Michigan’s legal recreational cannabis market,” Skymint Brands Chief Brand and Product Officer Laurie Gregory said. “Infused beverage sales are booming in legal recreational markets around the country, and for good reason. Consumers are increasingly conscious of the food and drink they consume, with many looking to cut back on alcohol, in particular.”
Skymint, the retail arm of Green Peak Innovations, is working with Shorts Brewing Company, a popular Bellaire-based beer maker, on marijuana-infused products, including beverages.
While Short’s Brewing is known for beer, alcohol will be missing from its marijuana-infused drinks since the state Legislature banned mixed alcohol and marijuana concoctions in 2018. The possibility of marijuana-infused non-alcoholic beer or other drink imitations remains.
“The success of our cannabis-infused, beer-inspired gummies, crafted in collaboration with our friends at Short’s Brewing, have proven just how fun and innovative such category-bending products can be,” Gregory said. “Our collective talented teams are hard at work creating unique cannabis beverage experiences which taste great and provide immediate effects, all while offering convenience and discretion.”
Skymint and Short’s Brewing expect to launch their line of marijuana-infused beverages later this year.
Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency Director Andrew Brisbo hinted that marijuana-infused drinks were on the way during an Oct. 14 MLive-produced “Marketing is Everything” podcast. At the time, he said the product was “an area of interest to a lot of processors in the industry.”
State law doesn’t currently allow any business or other entity that doesn’t hold a license from the state Marijuana Regulatory Agency to sell any marijuana products. That means for the time being, marijuana-infused beverages are likely to be confined to marijuana shops and not available in coolers at party stores across the state.
The state guidelines issued this week establish an application and tracking process to ensure marijuana-infused beverages are tested before hitting the market.
The guidelines are especially focused on product safety, in terms of eliminating potential contamination and ensuring consistent THC potency.
The rules mandate use of “potable, tested and treated water,” only FDA-approved preservatives and limit any THC degradation or increase to 15% through the shelf life of the beverage.
The expiration date will be determined based on pre-sale and ongoing research studies conducted by the manufacturer.
“For example,” the guidelines say, “if a producer conducts (a) study during a three-month period and determines that the beverage is stable and safe for sale … the labeled expiration date may not exceed three months.”
This means beverages are unlikely to hit marijuana store shelves for months, at least, since producers need to create and conduct research prior to release of any products.
Brisbo in December said beverage regulation has proven complicated due to issues not only with THC potency changes over time, as well as challenges in maintaining consistency from sip to sip within a single beverage container.
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