This section relates to product development and other information for developing legal recreational and medical cannabis edibles and beverages. It includes coverage of cannabis-derived cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol (CBN), and more, as well as cannabis oil concentrates, isolates, distillates, and cannabutter.

Current trends in cannabinoids derived from cannabis and/or hemp, especially CBD and THC, include improvements related to efficacy, stability, flavor impact, and use of isolates/distillates vs. full/broad-spectrum ingredients. Likewise, there are ongoing investigations into their role in health and wellness concurrent with development of products to meet the needs of the expanding consumer base for cannabis-infused foods and beverages.

BNP Media’s Cannabis Products magazine reports that, while many industries have suffered due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, legal cannabis continues its path of strong economic growth.

Cannabis-infused foods and beverages have likewise seen strong growth, notes Jessica Lukas, chief commercial officer, BDSA, Louisville, CO. “Per BDSA’s U.S. Cannabis Market Forecast, the dispensary channel legal cannabis edibles market brought in an estimated $3 billion in sales in 2021 across all legal U.S. markets—with strong growth expected to continue,” she says. “BDSA’s Cannabis Market Forecast projects edibles in the dispensary channel to bring in $4 billion in sales in 2022 across all legal U.S. markets. Cannabis edible sales are expected to grow to a total of $6 billion by 2025.”

According to BDSA Retail Sales Tracking:

• Edibles accounted for about 15% of dollar sales in the dispensary channel across BDSA-tracked markets in 2021.
• Candy dominates edible category sales in the dispensary channel, with candy bringing in about 70% of edible sales across BDSA-tracked markets.
• Gummies, the preferred edible format for cannabis consumers, continue to drive the majority of candy category sales.
• Gummies were responsible for about 90% of candy sales in the dispensary channel in California in 2021.
• Infused foods and chocolates have seen their share of dollar sales gradually decline over the past two years in the dispensary channel, with infused foods making up about 5% of edible dollar sales in Q4 2021 across BDSA-tracked markets, while chocolates accounted for 10% of edible dollar sales in Q4 2021.
• Beverages have seen strong sales growth, but still make up a small share (about 5%) of edible sales in the dispensary channel across BDSA-tracked markets.

In this section, we offer detailed listings of cannabis ingredient suppliers. Click below for references, including company name, headquarters and website.