23rd State Named a Top Resource in GreenPharms' 2025 Cannabis Industry Trends Report
We're proud to share that 23rd State was recently cited as a trusted reference in GreenPharms' comprehensive industry guide, "The Future of Legal Cannabis in the U.S.: Trends to Watch in 2025 and Beyond." Here's what it means — and why the trends covered in that report matter to you.
Being Recognized in the Industry Matters
At 23rd State, our mission has always been to educate consumers about cannabis-infused beverages in a way that's honest, accessible, and science-backed. So when GreenPharms — one of Arizona's most respected licensed dispensaries — cited our blog as a key reference in their sweeping overview of cannabis industry trends, we took it as a meaningful signal: the conversation around cannabis beverages is no longer niche. It's mainstream.
GreenPharms' article, The Future of Legal Cannabis in the U.S.: Trends to Watch in 2025 and Beyond, draws on sources from academic institutions, government agencies, cannabis analytics firms, and industry educators to paint a detailed picture of where the legal cannabis market is heading. Being included in that company reflects the quality and relevance of the information we work hard to produce.
But beyond the recognition itself, we think the trends outlined in that report deserve a closer look — especially the ones that speak directly to what we do here at 23rd State.
Cannabis Beverages: The Category GreenPharms Highlighted — and Why It's Exploding
One of the central topics in GreenPharms' article is the rapid rise of cannabis-infused beverages. This is the space 23rd State lives in, and we've been watching this category accelerate in real time. Here's what's driving the growth, and what it means for consumers.
Nanoemulsion Technology Is Changing Everything
Traditional cannabis edibles — think gummies or brownies — can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes to take effect. That unpredictability has long been one of the biggest barriers for new and casual cannabis users. Cannabis beverages formulated with nanoemulsion technology change the equation dramatically.
Nanoemulsions break THC and CBD molecules down into microscopic particles that disperse evenly in water and absorb into the bloodstream much more efficiently than oil-based edibles. The result? Onset times of just 5 to 15 minutes, with effects that feel more controlled and predictable. For consumers who want a social, manageable cannabis experience — one that actually fits into their evening the way a glass of wine might — beverages deliver something edibles and flower simply cannot.
At 23rd State, we've written extensively about how nanoemulsion works and what to look for when choosing a cannabis beverage. That educational content is exactly what GreenPharms referenced when assembling their trend report.
The Sober-Curious Movement Is Driving Demand
The cultural shift away from alcohol is real and accelerating. A growing segment of the population — particularly younger adults — is actively reducing or eliminating alcohol consumption and looking for alternatives that still provide relaxation and social ease. Cannabis beverages are stepping directly into that space.
Unlike a cocktail, a well-formulated cannabis drink won't leave you with a hangover, won't dehydrate you, and won't add empty calories tied to alcohol metabolism. GreenPharms' report notes that younger consumers are increasingly replacing alcohol with cannabis, a trend that picked up significant momentum during and after the pandemic. Cannabis beverages are the format best positioned to serve that audience, because they mirror the ritual and social experience of drinking without the downsides of alcohol.
This isn't just anecdotal. The functional beverage market — drinks that combine cannabinoids with adaptogens, vitamins, or herbal extracts like ashwagandha and turmeric — is growing rapidly as health-conscious consumers bring cannabis into their wellness routines rather than treating it purely as a recreational substance.
What Else the GreenPharms Report Got Right
While cannabis beverages were our most direct point of connection to the GreenPharms article, the full report covers a wide range of developments worth understanding. Here are a few that we think every informed cannabis consumer should know about.
Federal Rescheduling Is a Historic Development
In December 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Attorney General to expedite the rescheduling of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. This is one of the most significant federal cannabis policy shifts in decades.
Schedule III status doesn't make cannabis federally legal for adult recreational use, but it does acknowledge — for the first time at the federal level — that cannabis has recognized medical value. It also eliminates the punishing Section 280E tax provision that has prevented cannabis businesses from deducting standard business expenses, a change that could meaningfully lower operating costs for licensed dispensaries and potentially translate into better pricing for consumers.
For cannabis beverages specifically, a more favorable federal environment could accelerate product development, expand distribution, and open doors to ingredients and processes that have previously been difficult to source in the cannabis supply chain.
Minor Cannabinoids Are Coming Into Their Own
THC and CBD are no longer the only cannabinoids consumers are paying attention to. Compounds like CBG (cannabigerol), CBN (cannabinol), and THCV (tetrahydrocannabivarin) are gaining traction as researchers and brands explore their unique properties. CBG is being studied for anti-inflammatory and antibacterial potential. CBN shows promise as a natural sleep aid. THCV may act as an appetite suppressant.
For the cannabis beverage category, this is particularly exciting. Beverages are already well-suited to precise dosing, and incorporating minor cannabinoids into drink formulations offers brands the ability to create products targeted at specific wellness outcomes — sleep, focus, relaxation, recovery — rather than offering a generic experience.
Expect to see more cannabis beverage labels specifying cannabinoid ratios and including minor cannabinoids alongside THC and CBD in the coming years.
Wellness and Microdosing Are Reshaping Consumer Behavior
The GreenPharms report highlights a significant shift in how consumers are using cannabis: less as a tool for getting high, and more as a functional part of a healthy lifestyle. Microdosing — taking small, controlled amounts of cannabis (typically 2 to 5mg of THC per serving) to achieve subtle effects without impairment — has moved from a fringe practice to a mainstream one.
Cannabis beverages are ideally suited to microdosing. A 5mg THC drink is easy to portion, easy to pace, and easy to integrate into a social setting without the risk of overconsumption that can come with edibles (where delayed onset tempts users to take more before the first dose has kicked in). The combination of nanoemulsion technology and low-dose formulations makes beverages the most approachable cannabis format for the wellness-oriented consumer.
The Importance of Buying from Licensed, Tested Sources
One statistic from the GreenPharms report is worth pausing on: approximately 45% of total U.S. THC sales still come from the illicit market, while unregulated hemp-derived products account for another 22%. Only 33% of sales flow through licensed dispensaries.
This matters enormously for beverage consumers. Unlike licensed dispensaries, unregulated sellers — whether online shops, smoke shops, or unlicensed delivery services — are not required to submit their products for third-party testing. That means potency claims may be inaccurate, contaminants like heavy metals or pesticides may be present, and the dosing may be wildly inconsistent from batch to batch.
When you purchase a cannabis beverage from a licensed dispensary or a compliant retailer, you're buying a product that has been independently tested and verified. Certificates of Analysis (COAs) confirm the cannabinoid content, verify the absence of harmful contaminants, and ensure that what's on the label matches what's in the can or bottle. Always ask for COAs, and always purchase from compliant sources.
Why Education Is at the Heart of What We Do
Being cited in GreenPharms' report is gratifying not because it validates us as a brand, but because it reflects the larger purpose of the work we publish: helping consumers make genuinely informed decisions in a fast-evolving market.
Cannabis beverages are one of the most promising and fastest-growing segments of the legal cannabis industry. But they're also a category where consumer education is still catching up to product innovation. Many people don't know how nanoemulsions work, why onset time matters, how to read a COA, or how to choose a product based on their wellness goals. That gap is exactly what 23rd State exists to close.
We'll continue publishing honest, science-grounded content about cannabis beverages — how they're made, how they work, and how to find products that live up to their labels. And we're proud to be the kind of resource that industry leaders like GreenPharms turn to when they want to point their readers toward reliable information.
Ready to Learn More?
Explore the full GreenPharms trend report here: The Future of Legal Cannabis in the U.S.: Trends to Watch in 2025 and Beyond
And stay right here at 23rd State for ongoing education about cannabis beverages, cannabinoid science, product recommendations, and everything else you need to navigate the legal cannabis market with confidence.
This post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Cannabis products affect individuals differently. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before using cannabis, particularly if you have existing health conditions or take medications. Comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
