It's no big news that the hemp beverage industry is exploding in growth. Cannabis infused beverages are growing in popularity for a number of reasons. Before we explore this hyper growth, we need to know exactly what is classified as a hemp beverage.
What counts as “hemp beverages”
To be clear, “hemp beverages” broadly refer to non-alcoholic drinks that use hemp-derived ingredients (often CBD, hemp juice, low-THC hemp extracts, etc.). Sometimes overlapping terms include “cannabis beverages” (which may include THC), “hemp drinks,” “hemp seltzer,” and “hemp infused drinks.” These sub-segments have somewhat different regulatory and market dynamics.
Market size & forecasts
Here are the most recent estimates and projections:
| Segment | Size / Value (most recent) | Projected Future Size | CAGR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global hemp beverages (broad segment) | ~ USD 5.7 billion in 2024 Growth Market Reports | ~ USD 18.2 billion by 2033 Growth Market Reports | ~ 15.2% annual growth Growth Market Reports | This includes all hemp beverage types globally. |
| U.S. hemp beverages | ~$127 million in 2023 Cannabusiness Plans | ~$1.57 billion by 2028 Cannabusiness Plans | Very high: ~ 76.5% CAGR Cannabusiness Plans | U.S. regulatory environment and market adoption rates are big drivers here. |
| Cannabis beverages (which may include THC or CBD, broader than hemp alone) | ~ USD 1,163.9 million (≈ USD 1.16 billion) in 2023 Grand View Research | ~ USD 3,859.7 million by 2030 Grand View Research | ~ 18.7% CAGR Grand View Research | Gives context for adjacent markets, some overlap with hemp beverages. |
| Hemp beer | ~ USD 3,969.92 millionin 2024 Reanin | ~ USD 6,141.69 million by 2031 Reanin | ~ 6.4% CAGR Reanin | This includes alcoholic and non-alcoholic beer using hemp or hemp extracts. |
| Hemp milk | ~ USD 325.24 million in 2024 globally IMARC Group | ~ USD 867.83 million by 2033 IMARC Group | ~ 11.45%CAGR IMARC Group | Plant-based milks are growing fast, and hemp milk is part of that trend. |
| Hemp energy drinks | ~ USD 165.4 million in 2024 Dataintelo | ~ USD 327.5 million by 2033 Dataintelo | ~ 7.9% CAGR Dataintelo | More niche, but growing. |
Key drivers & trends
Several forces are pushing growth in the hemp beverage space:
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Health & wellness consumer demand — People are increasingly seeking plant-based, “functional,” low-sugar beverages, with purported benefits (anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, etc.). Hemp (and especially CBD, hemp juice) fits into this niche.
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Regulatory shifts — Laws around industrial hemp (e.g. limits on THC content) and evolving regulations for hemp-derived cannabinoids are opening up markets. However, regulation remains a mixed bag, varying widely by country and even state. Grand View Research+3Grand View Research+3Cannabusiness Plans+3
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Product innovation — More formats (juices, milks, beers, seltzers, energy drinks, etc.), flavor profiles, and branding oriented toward lifestyle are emerging. Also, better extraction and formulation technologies improving taste, stability, consistency.
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Mainstreaming and distribution expansion — Hemp beverages are being found in grocery stores, convenience stores, and online retailers, not just specialty or wellness shops. This helps scale. Cannabusiness Plans
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Consumer awareness/acceptance — As stigma around hemp/CBD products declines, consumers are more willing to try these beverages. Also, awareness campaigns and branding help.
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Overlap with cannabis-infused drinks — In places where low-THC or hemp-derived THC is allowed, hemp beverage companies are sometimes edging into that space, which broadens potential consumer base but also brings regulatory complexity. Cannabusiness Plans+1
Challenges & constraints
It's not all smooth growth; several risks could dampen or slow the market:
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Regulatory uncertainty — The status of hemp or hemp-derived cannabinoids (especially near the legal limits of THC) is not constant. Some jurisdictions are tightening rules; others are still navigating uncharted territory.
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Perception & stigma — Even when legal, many consumers still associate hemp/CBD with recreational cannabis in ways that make mass acceptance harder.
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Quality/control and consistency — Variations in extraction, potency, taste, and labeling standards pose barriers.
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Supply chain issues — Cultivation, extraction, stability, shelf life, and cost of ingredients remain challenges, especially for newer product formats.
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Competition — Non-hemp alternatives (other plant-based milks, functional teas, juices, etc.) are also growing and offering competition.
- Shipping - Shipping hemp beverages can often get tricky for a number of reasons. Apart from each state's direct to consumer shipping regulations, cans can often get tricky to ship because of the weight, damage concerns, and reliability of packaging. That's where Whale Pod comes in! We offer beverage can shipping boxes specially made for canned drinks! The Slim Can Pods are 12oz sleek style beverage can shippng boxes. If your hemp drinks come in 12oz standard cans or 16oz cans, we offer the Econo-Pods. We even offer marketing style boxes that display the cans when shipped, enhancing the unboxing experience. These are the Unboxing Bio Pods.
What to watch in coming years
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If the projected growth rates hold, hemp beverages could become a much larger portion of both the functional & alternative beverage market.
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Regulatory changes (both U.S. federal, and in major markets like the EU) will likely shape what products, extracts, and claims are permissible.
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Partnerships and acquisitions are likely in this space as larger beverage companies look for entry points or growth through hemp-derived products.
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Product innovation in flavor, format (e.g. ready-to-drink, beverages with microdoses of THC where legal) could expand appeal. Major brands in the hemp infused beverage industry are likely to scale operations. These brands include Pamos, High Rise, Keef, Brez, Cann, Nowadays, Gigli, and Bimble, and Calexo to name a few.
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International expansion: some markets are more regulated or less mature, so there’s upside in emerging markets as laws change.
