In Minnesota, something pretty remarkable is happening in the hemp-derived THC world. For the first time, it really feels like breweries, edible brands, retailers, and lawmakers are all pulling in the same direction instead of acting like separate camps.
At Nothing But Hemp, we’re thrilled about that shift—especially from the brewing community. For a long time, the loudest voices in the conversation were only talking about THC beverages. Now we’re hearing breweries stand up for the entire hemp-derived THC category, including edibles, and it finally feels like we’re all on the same team.
And with federal policy turbulence hanging over hemp THC, that unity matters more than ever.
From “THC Drinks” to “Protect the Whole Category”
The craft brewing world has become a powerful ally for hemp-derived THC in Minnesota. Hemp drinks helped keep many breweries alive after the pandemic, and brewers have been very vocal about that. But what really excites us now is how they’re talking.
For the first couple of years, most of the conversation focused on one lane:
THC seltzers.
THC craft beer.
THC cocktails on tap.
All awesome. All valid. But if you listened to the public narrative, you’d think the entire hemp market was liquid and in a can.
Meanwhile, edibles have quietly grown into an even larger, more diverse category. Gummies, chocolates, chews, and other edible formats are where a huge portion of consumers actually start—and stay. For a lot of Minnesotans, edibles are their main way of using hemp products.
Now, when breweries speak up, they’re not just saying, “Don’t kill our seltzers.” They’re talking about protecting drinks and edibles. They’re talking about how federal overreach would wipe out hemp beverages and gummies, and how the whole Minnesota hemp ecosystem is at risk, not just the taproom menu.
That shift matters to us in a big way.
For the first time, it feels like breweries are explicitly saying:
“We’re with the hemp industry, not just the beverage side of it.”
And from our vantage point at Nothing But Hemp, that’s a huge, long-overdue energy shift. We’re happy, grateful, and honestly a little relieved to hear breweries champion the entire category—and not just “their” share of it.
Edibles: The Everyday, Nighttime, and “I Just Need Some Calm” Category
Part of why we care so much about whole-category support is simple: edibles are a bigger, broader, and more personal category for many people.
Yes, people absolutely use beverages to unwind and have fun. A lot of THC drinks are designed for social, recreational situations—backyard parties, dinners, game nights, bar patios. They’re amazing for people who want a cannabis-style buzz without alcohol.
But edibles often play a different role in people’s lives.
Many people reach for THC or CBD+THC edibles because they:
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Want something they can take before bed that may promote sleep or help them wind down.
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Are looking for something that may help them feel calmer in stressful moments.
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Prefer a discreet, measured format they can incorporate into a wellness routine.
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Don’t want to drink late at night but still want some relief or relaxation.
We hear it every day: customers who use edibles in the evening because it may support better rest, ease anxious thoughts, or help them manage day-to-day stress. We’re careful not to make hard medical claims, but there’s no denying that for a lot of people, edibles are their “sleep gummy,” their “take-the-edge-off gummy,” or their “I-need-a-calm-evening gummy.”
In other words:
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Beverages are often about shared experiences and recreation.
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Edibles are often about personal routines and functional goals.
Both are valid. Both are important. And that’s exactly why we’re so glad breweries are now backing the whole category. Because when the conversation only centers on beverages, we risk ignoring the very real role edibles play for people who need support with sleep, stress, and overall balance.
“I Support All Categories” – And We Mean It
At Nothing But Hemp, we don’t see this as beverages versus edibles.
We support:
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THC beverages
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Edibles and gummies
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Tinctures and other compliant formats
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Innovative crossovers between beer, NA beverage culture, and hemp
If it’s compliant, tested, honestly labeled, and responsibly dosed—we’re for it.
We love the innovation that breweries have brought to the hemp space. The creativity with flavor, branding, and social occasions has pulled entirely new audiences into low-dose THC. But we also deeply value the quiet, nightly ritual of someone taking a 5 mg edible that may help them finally dial down their stress and get some rest.
So when we say we’re happy that breweries are now supporting the entire category, that’s what we mean:
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We’re happy they’re speaking up for the sleep gummy person, not just the patio seltzer person.
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We’re happy they’re acknowledging that edibles are a major part of the market, not a side note.
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We’re happy they’re standing up for all the people who use hemp products for sleep, calm, and day-to-day quality of life—not just Friday-night fun.
Retailers Like Surdyk’s: Normalizing the Full Spectrum
Retailers like Surdyk’s play a huge role in how the public sees this category.
When a retailer with deep credibility in beer, wine, and spirits also supports hemp-derived products—and does it at the category level—it sends a powerful signal:
“Hemp beverages and edibles belong here. They’re not fringe. They’re part of the modern adult product mix.”
Surdyk’s and other forward-thinking retailers are:
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Giving shelf space to both hemp drinks and edibles.
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Treating gummies, chews, and hemp seltzers as part of a thoughtful, curated selection.
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Training staff to talk comfortably about dosing, onset, and responsible use.
That kind of support is huge for us. It helps ensure that the person shopping for something that may promote sleep or support a calmer evening has as much visibility and guidance as the person looking for a fun THC beverage for their next party.
Lawmakers and Senator Port: Growing Support for Hemp
On the policy side, we’ve also seen important shifts.
Members of Congress from Minnesota have stepped up to push back against a federal hemp THC crackdown that would flatten the very market Minnesota helped pioneer. They’re not just fighting for “hemp seltzers”; they’re defending the entire regulated hemp-derived THC framework, which includes edibles, beverages, and more.
On the state level, Senator Lindsey Port’s evolution is worth noting too. During HF100, many in the hemp space didn’t always feel fully seen. The spotlight was heavily on adult-use cannabis, and there were moments where the hemp industry—especially those focused on edibles—felt pushed to the side.
Seeing Senator Port more openly supporting hemp now really matters. It shows that lawmakers can listen, learn, and adjust as they see the real-world impact of regulated hemp: jobs, tax revenue, consumer safety, and alternatives to alcohol.
From our seat at Nothing But Hemp, we appreciate that change in tone. It’s good for business, but more importantly, it’s good for the thousands of Minnesotans who rely on these products—whether in a can, a gummy, or a dropper.
Minnesota as a Model – Stronger Together
Minnesota has already proven that low-dose hemp-derived THC can be regulated in a responsible, common-sense way. The more that brewers, edible brands, retailers, and policymakers support the entire category, the stronger that model becomes.
When breweries back both drinks and edibles…
When retailers champion both fun social products and nighttime routines…
When lawmakers defend the full hemp ecosystem…
…Minnesota becomes the blueprint other states look to when they ask:
“How do we regulate this in a way that’s safe, fair, and good for small businesses?”
From Nothing But Hemp: Thank You, and Let’s Keep Building
So from us, sincerely:
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To the Minnesota brewers who are now clearly backing the full hemp category, not just beverages—thank you. It finally feels like we’re on the same team.
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To retailers like Surdyk’s who stock, normalize, and champion both beverages and edibles—thank you for treating hemp as a real category, not a side hustle.
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To the people who use edibles for sleep, calm, and everyday balance—we see you, and we’ll keep fighting for your access.
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To everyone who enjoys hemp beverages for social and recreational use—we’re with you too.
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To lawmakers, including Senator Port, who are showing more support for hemp—thank you for listening and evolving.
We support all compliant hemp categories. We don’t want a world where you have to choose between a drink you love and a gummy that may help you rest. We want a world where Minnesotans have safe, regulated access to both—and where our industry stands together to protect that.
From all of us at Nothing But Hemp:
Here’s to the brewers, the gummy makers, the retailers, the lawmakers, and the everyday people who rely on these products. We’re finally playing on the same team—and that’s exactly how it should be.
