Cannabis beverages occupy a modest share of dispensary sales, but they have earned a durable place in the retail mix. In mature adult-use markets, beverages typically account for 2–4% of total store revenue, a figure that has remained remarkably steady over time. That consistency—more than headline growth—helps explain why retailers continue to refine the category rather than abandon it.

The story of cannabis beverages at retail is not one of rapid expansion. It is a story of predictability.

Sales data and in-store experience point to a few clear patterns. Most beverage volume is concentrated in low-dose products, generally five milligrams of THC or less per container. These SKUs account for the bulk of unit sales and tend to generate fewer post-purchase issues than higher-dose edible formats.

Beverage buyers also skew toward repeat purchasing. Once customers find a product that fits their expectations, they tend to rebuy the same SKU rather than explore broadly. That dynamic rewards brands that deliver consistency and penalizes those that rely on novelty.

Price sensitivity is another defining characteristic. Compared with gummies or chocolates, beverages see sharper drop-offs in velocity as prices rise. Retailers reporting the strongest performance typically price beverages for multi-unit purchases and avoid positioning them as premium novelties.

Merchandising plays a meaningful role as well. Cold placement reliably improves sell-through, particularly for first-time buyers. Refrigeration does more than preserve product quality; it signals immediacy and use case in a way shelf placement does not.

Taken together, these behaviors explain why beverages have become a stable, if unspectacular, category. They do not spike. They do not disappear. They quietly do their job.

Within those constraints, a small group of brands has emerged as consistent performers—products customers ask for by name and retailers reorder without hesitation.

Keef remains the most widely recognized THC beverage brand in U.S. dispensaries. Its soda-style flavors, clear dosing, and predictable effects make it an anchor SKU for many stores. In practice, Keef often serves as the reference point against which other beverages are judged.

Cann leads the low-dose segment, particularly among consumers who prioritize control and repeatability. With two milligrams of THC per can, it has become a reliable entry point for customers who might otherwise skip the beverage category altogether.

Wynk’s balanced THC/CBD formulations have found traction in both adult-use and medical settings. The appeal is straightforward: manageable effects and fewer surprises. For retailers, that translates into lower complaint rates and easier recommendations.

Artet occupies a narrower lane. It performs best in higher-income markets and curated dispensaries where premium beverages are merchandised intentionally. Where the demographic fits, customer loyalty is strong.

Nowadays behaves more like a bottle than a grab-and-go can. Positioned as an alcohol alternative, it sells as a planned purchase rather than an impulse item, with repeat buyers driving most of its volume.

Select’s beverage line benefits from Curaleaf’s scale and operational consistency. While not the most differentiated offering, it remains a dependable option, particularly in medical dispensaries where availability and predictability matter most.

Cannabis beverages have not transformed dispensary economics, and they likely will not. What they have done is carve out a reliable role—one defined by repeat customers, low operational friction, and steady turnover.

For retailers, the takeaway is straightforward. Beverages earn their shelf space not through hype or innovation cycles, but through consistency. The brands that last are the ones customers rebuy, staff can explain quickly, and managers do not have to manage around. In a volatile industry, that kind of reliability is its own form of leadership.