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What's Next For CBD Food And Drink In 2019?

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, holds a hemp pen before the start of a signing ceremony for H.R. 2, Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. Photographer: Zach Gibson/Bloomberg© 2018 Bloomberg Finance LP

The New Year means new opportunity for CBD food and drink companies.

With industrial hemp legalized in the farm bill, CBD companies look toward increased sales and opportunities in 2019.

The farm bill, signed by President Trump right before the government shutdown, notably included hemp legalization, championed by Sen. Mitch McConnell.

States will create their own regulatory frameworks to be approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA.) States that already produce hemp, such as Colorado and Kentucky, will plan significant expansions to meet demand.

The FDA has not yet approved hemp CBD supplements, food and cosmetics on a national scale, but has approved the pharmaceutical Epidiolex, an epilepsy treatment. The decision will likely happen within 18-24 months, according to a report from the Brightfield Group.

Still, CBD companies, including food and drink companies, are gearing up for a boom in sales in 2019. Some even have products for pets.

Colorado-based Weller makes CBD-infused coconut bites. Hemp legalization will allow the company to expand nationwide.Image courtesy of Weller

The founders of Weller, a CBD snack brand based in Colorado, think hemp legalization is a pivotal step for the CBD movement. Their product is currently sold at coffee shops, convenience stores and grocery stores, but legalization will allow nationwide expansion.

“We think that more and more retailers will start integrating CBD products into their stores to make them available to consumers who are eager to try, but have never been reliably educated, or able to find a trusted brand,” co-founder Matt Oscamou said in an email.

Though Coca-Cola’s CBD soda turned out to be a rumor, other existing food and drink companies are ready to capitalize on the trend.

In September, The Alkaline Water Company announced its launch of CBD-infused water. The Arizona-based company, which already sells its Alkaline88 water at Walmart, Kroger, Safeway-Albertsons and CVS, will launch three new versions of its signature product: hemp-derived CBD infused, vitamin-infused CBD and sparkling CBD Alkaline88 waters. The first batch of sparkling CBD water will be available in flavors like grapefruit, coconut, lemon lime, peach mango and raspberry.

But does the water taste like hemp?

“We have worked with a major flavor house and Infusion Biosciences, Inc., who together have masked any hemp flavor profile,” Ricky Wright, CEO of Alkaline Water Company, said in an email.

Incorporating CBD into existing rituals is an easy way to start using it in 2019. Try adding CBD to your coffee routine with products like hemp-infused coffee, water-soluble powder or simple syrup.

Luckily, legalization doesn’t just mean more products, but competition will likely drive down prices too. Also, more health information should become available, helping consumers make smart choices. The synthetic (and not as potent) products will be easier to weed out as more quality hemp becomes available.

A new year of less pain and anxiety can also be a tasty and refreshing one.

Original Article Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/bethkaiserman/2018/12/29/cbd-food-and-drink-2019/

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