When another brand in the cannabis beverage space takes a moment to recognize what you're building, it means something. This week, that recognition came from Carbon Cannabis, a Wisconsin-based hemp brand whose Daily Wellness blog explores how THC drinks are reshaping modern social life. In their new guide, THC Drinks for Sober Curious Nights: Ritual Without the Hangover, Carbon highlighted SHAKE by 23rd State as one of the most approachable ways for new consumers to step into the world of cannabis beverages.
Thank you, Carbon Cannabis. We see you, and we appreciate the shout-out.
What Carbon Cannabis Said About SHAKE
Carbon's guide walks readers through the rise of the sober curious movement and the growing role THC beverages play in it — the after-work wind-down, the weekend gathering, the shared ritual of cracking open something cold without the morning-after regret. When the conversation turned to dosing flexibility, SHAKE earned a mention as the option for drinkers who prefer a subtler approach.
As Carbon put it, SHAKE starts as low as 1mg per serving, giving sober curious sippers an effortless way to keep their vibe exactly where they want it — the flexibility to mingle or mellow out on their own terms. Carbon also pointed readers to our own education piece on why THC beverages are the future of social drinking, citing 23rd State among the industry voices shaping the conversation.
That framing matters. Most ready-to-drink THC beverages land in the 2–5mg range per can — a comfortable dose for many, but a leap of faith for someone who has never felt THC before. SHAKE removes that leap entirely.
Why 1mg Is the Perfect Front Door for the Canna-Curious
The canna-curious consumer is one of the fastest-growing audiences in the beverage aisle, and they share a common hesitation: "What if it's too much?"
SHAKE was designed to answer that question before it's even asked. Each dropper delivers a precise 1mg microdose of hemp-derived THC alongside 3mg of CBG, in a flavorless, water-soluble formula that disappears into any drink — sparkling water, lemonade, tea, or a zero-proof mocktail. New consumers can start with a single drop, wait, and decide for themselves whether one more feels right. No guessing, no gripping the can wondering what's coming.
And because SHAKE shimmers with food-safe edible glitter, that first cannabis experience doesn't feel clinical or intimidating. It feels like a celebration. The drink becomes a conversation piece, and curiosity replaces anxiety — exactly the kind of welcoming, low-pressure introduction the canna-curious deserve.
Our approach is backed by real-world evidence, too. The MoreBetter Real-World Infused Beverage Study — an observational study built on participant-reported data from more than 5,000 consumers, led by researchers Dr. Miyabe Shields and Dr. Riley Kirk of the Network of Applied Pharmacognosy — found that most THC beverage users report feeling effects within 20–40 minutes, with consistent, predictable experiences across sessions. That kind of consistency is precisely what a first-time consumer needs to build confidence.
The Sober Curious Shift Is Bigger Than Any One Brand
Carbon's guide cites research showing that roughly a third of Gen Z and Millennial consumers are making alcohol-free living their norm. We're watching that shift happen in real time — at festivals, at brunch tables, at girls' nights and backyard hangs across Minnesota and beyond.
That's why recognition from a fellow hemp brand means more than a backlink. Carbon Cannabis could have kept its guide entirely in-house. Instead, they chose to point their readers toward a product they believed served a specific need — the gentlest possible on-ramp for someone trading their old ritual for a new one. That kind of category-first thinking is how the entire cannabis beverage industry grows: brands lifting each other up, educating consumers honestly, and meeting people where they are.
We believe rising tides lift all glasses. When Wisconsin's Carbon Cannabis and Minnesota's 23rd State are both telling the same story — that THC beverages offer ritual without regret — consumers win.
Ready to Take Your First Sip?
If Carbon's guide brought you here, welcome. Here's where to start:
Begin with SHAKE Edible Glitter Drops — one dropper, one drink, one dazzling introduction to hemp-derived THC. Explore our education blog to learn how THC drinks compare to alcohol, and browse our full lineup of premium THC beverages when you're ready for a ready-to-drink option.
Start low. Go slow. Sparkle always.
Thank you again to the team at Carbon Cannabis for the recognition — and cheers to more hangover-free nights ahead.
