Photos Courtesy of Happy Flower, Gigli and Uncle
Hey Mom and Dad, you might not need to padlock the liquor cabinet anymore, but the refrigerator may be another story. It seems that Gen Zers — those born between 1997 and 2012 — are less likely to reach for alcoholic beverages than previous generations. Instead, they are turning to marijuana or THC-infused drinks.
There’s no single reason. Studies point to Gen Z’s focus on health, the rising cost of alcohol, its unpleasant aftereffects (the dreaded hangover) and a growing stigma around excessive drinking. Since consuming alcohol is often tied to socializing, fewer young people gathering in person may also be a factor.
This shift has fueled the rise of a new market — cannabis-based beverages. There are two types of THC-infused drinks: those made with regulated marijuana and those made with hemp-derived THC. Beverages containing regulated marijuana are legal only in states that allow medical or recreational use and must be purchased from licensed dispensaries.
Florida permits medical use but not recreational. Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Wyoming are the only states where all marijuana use, medical or otherwise, is illegal.
Drinks made with hemp-derived THC can be found in liquor and convenience stores, supermarkets, online and even in some states where medical or recreational marijuana isn’t legal. These drinks take on names such as Happy Flower, Gigli and Uncle Arnie’s and come as cocktails, seltzers and teas.