The THC beverage boom 🚀

"The emergence of THC beverage products has provided a solution that helps backfill declining revenues across multiple industries, including beer, wine and distilled spirits,” economist Beau Whitney said. 

A new report from Whitney Economics found that the THC beverage market continues to boom. Legal sales for 2024 are estimated between $1 to $1.3 billion, with an estimated potential market value ranging between $9.9 to $14.9 billion. The report said that there are roughly 500-750 different beverage brands without 200 of those being sold through licensed dispensaries. 

Illinois cultivators suing to grow outdoors 😎

Curaleaf is just the latest cultivator in Illinois to sue the state in an attempt to get permission to grow outside. Growing inside is much more expensive than growing outside, but the state has said that all sanctioned cannabis grows must be indoors out of security concerns. Green Thumb Industries and Nature's Grace and Wellness previously sued for the right to grow in screened houses. The Chicago Tribune has more on the dispute.  

Nebraska commission proposes stricter medical rules ahead of market launch 🤸

The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission approved an update to the state's emergency cannabis regulations on September 2. The updated regulations, which must still be approved by Governor Jim Pillen, now include mandatory testing and security requirements. The total number of licensed dispensaries is also now capped at 12. The Nebraska Examiner has more. 

Delaware cannabis sales hit $7.4 million in first month 💰

Cannabis dispensaries in Delaware raked in$7.4 million in total sales for August in the first month after the market launched. So far, the state has three active retail licenses, along with 12 more medical dispensaries that were allowed to begin selling to the general public on August 1.

LIT ALERTS’ INSIGHTS
Show Me State Challenger Brands

The Lit Alerts “Challenger Brands” have been a hit with our readers, featuring the brands that are moving up the charts and nipping at the heels of the top 10.

We featured the upstarts in New York in June, New Jersey in July, and Ohio in August.

Today,Lit Alerts is highlighting the Challenger Brands in Missouri, one of the most dynamic markets in cannabis.

You'll notice that most of the brands pushing their way up the charts are Missouri companies, reminding us that regional and national brands have to work extra diligently for their success in this state.

Brand choice continues to be dominated by Missouri powerhouses like Elevate (owners of Rooted), Local Cannabis, and Robust.

But might this trend be cracking?

Hat tip to established national brand Airo Brand, budding national brand Dialed-In, and newly-expanding Curio Wellness for edging up the charts in this highly competitive and largely insular market.

Have a look at Lit Alerts’ exclusive insights. 👇

🎯 Check out the exclusive Lit Alerts’ offer available to Cultivated readers.

• LeafLink, a cannabis wholesale and banking platform has partnered with Confia, giving customers from the latter company's banking platform access to LeafLink's suite of financial services.

• True Harmony Company has opened a 250,000 square-foot glass house growing facility in White Pine County, Nevada. The new mixed-lighting cultivation site has officially started its first growing cycle, according to a Sept. 3 announcement from the company. 

Study finds link between delta-8 THC use and prohibition states 🎱

A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that 7.7% of the 1,532 surveyed adults said that they had tried delta-8 THC. The survey also found that only 5.5% of respondents in states with legal adult-use had used delta-8, compared to 8.5% in states with just medical, and 10.9% where all cannabis is illegal.

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