The cannabis beverage market has found its newest player in 23rd State, a Minnesota-based company that’s introducing a line of THC-infused drink enhancers designed to transform any beverage into a functional cannabis experience. The company’s SHAKE product line features fast-acting THC formulations, including glitter-infused mocktail drops that add both visual appeal and psychoactive effects to drinks.
Named after Minnesota’s distinction as the 23rd state to legalize adult-use cannabis, the company positions itself at the intersection of wellness and social drinking culture. The state also claims the title as birthplace of the hemp beverage, making it a fitting headquarters for the cannabis beverage innovator.
The SHAKE line represents a departure from traditional cannabis beverages that come pre-mixed, ready to drink (RTD) in bottles or cans. Instead, these enhancers allow consumers to add THC to any drink of their choice, offering flexibility in both dosage and beverage selection. The products include options for microdosing, allowing users to control their intake with precision.
The glitter-infused mocktail drops serve a dual purpose, adding sparkle to drinks while delivering THC in a format designed for social settings. This approach targets consumers seeking alternatives to alcohol, particularly those interested in avoiding hangovers while maintaining the ritual of social drinking.
23rd State’s product development focuses on making cannabis consumption more approachable for mainstream audiences. The company’s strategy involves removing barriers that have traditionally kept some consumers away from cannabis products, including concerns about dosing, onset time, and social acceptability.
The beverage enhancer format addresses several consumer pain points in the cannabis beverage category. Traditional cannabis drinks often require refrigeration, have limited shelf life, and offer little flexibility in terms of flavor preferences. By creating a concentrated enhancer, the company allows consumers to infuse their preferred beverages while maintaining control over taste and potency.
Minnesota’s cannabis market has seen rapid growth since legalization, with beverage products representing an increasingly significant segment. The state’s hemp beverage heritage provides a foundation for innovation in the space, as local companies leverage existing expertise in beverage formulation and distribution.
The focus on fast-acting formulations addresses one of the primary challenges in cannabis edibles and beverages: the delay between consumption and effects. Traditional edibles can take 30 minutes to two hours to take effect, making dosing difficult for inexperienced users. Fast-acting technologies aim to reduce this onset time significantly.
The company’s approach to normalizing cannabis consumption extends beyond product formulation to packaging and marketing. By positioning their products alongside terms like “mocktails” and “happy hour,” they’re working to integrate cannabis into existing social drinking occasions rather than creating entirely new consumption contexts.
The wellness through joy and celebration angle of 23rd State’s positioning reflects broader trends in both the cannabis and beverage industries. As consumers increasingly seek functional beverages that offer benefits beyond hydration or intoxication, cannabis-infused options provide an alternative that aligns with health-conscious lifestyles while still enabling social participation.
The emergence of companies like 23rd State signals a maturation of the cannabis beverage market, moving beyond simple THC-infused sodas and teas to more sophisticated products that integrate into existing drinking cultures. As more states legalize cannabis and consumer comfort with these products grows, the category continues to evolve toward mainstream acceptance.