South Florida’s beverage coolers are changing. Next to coconut water and craft seltzer, you’re seeing cans that promise a crisp buzz from hemp-derived THC (kept under the federal 0.3% Δ9-THC by dry weight limit). While Florida’s medical marijuana program remains patients-only, hemp-derived THC beverages are showing up in mainstream retail—from specialty beverage shops to some large chains—thanks to federal hemp rules and Florida’s evolving state framework. Below is a quick tour of who’s carrying them, the compliance landscape, and what early data says about traffic and sales lift.
Who’s Carrying THC Beverages in South Florida?
Specialty beverage and alt-bar concepts. Miami’s growing “sober-curious” and functional-beverage scene (think kava/mocktail bars) has become a natural on-ramp for THC seltzers. Venues such as Syndicate Kava Bar (Wynwood & South Beach) advertise plant-based, alcohol-free menus that frequently rotate in hemp beverages alongside kava and botanical mocktails. WEBSITE: syndicatekavabar.com
Direct-to-consumer brands with local delivery and retail partners. Companies marketing hemp-derived THC seltzers specifically to Miami and Fort Lauderdale shoppers—e.g., BUZZN—actively promote local availability and delivery pages dedicated to each city, signaling an active retailer network in the metro. READ MORE: BUZZN
Chain retail experiments. Major beverage retailers are testing hemp THC sets store-by-store, with product listings (availability varies) such as Curaleaf’s Select Zero Proof 2.5 mg and 5 mg hemp-derived THC seltzers appearing on Total Wine & More’s site. The listings confirm the items are <0.3% Δ9-THC and marketed for mainstream shelves where allowed by state law. (Check local store availability before you go.)
Legacy cannabis drink brands now shipping hemp versions. National names like WYNK, High Rise, and Cann maintain store-locator pages showing Florida placements (plus DTC shipping where permitted). While the maps are dynamic, they demonstrate active Sunshine State distribution and interest from package stores, bars, and specialty grocers.
Note: Florida dispensaries do sell cannabis beverages—but those are for qualified medical patients only, under the medical program overseen by the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU). Adult-use marijuana remains illegal in Florida (a separate ballot push is aimed at 2026).
What the Numbers Say: Do THC Beverages Drive Foot Traffic?
Category growth is real, but still niche. Industry tracker BDSA estimates beverages represented ~0.9% of all cannabis sales in Q1 2025, totaling $54.6 million that quarter—+15% YoY versus Q1 2024. Within edibles specifically, beverages were ~6% of edible sales, ranking fourth behind candy, chocolate, and pills. That’s modest share—but with momentum.
Macro revenue tailwind. Whitney Economics pegs U.S. THC beverage sales at roughly $1.1 billion for 2024 (counting both cannabis-channel and hemp-channel beverages), underscoring a category large enough to matter to mainstream retail sets—especially in states where hemp beverages can sell outside licensed dispensaries.
But growth isn’t a guaranteed traffic fountain. BDSA has also noted beverages have grown more slowly than the broader edibles category in recent years—so while they’re buzzy and increasingly available, they aren’t (yet) a universal basket driver on par with gummies or confectionery.
Context from retail analytics. Location-intelligence firm Placer.ai reports c-store traffic climbed well above pre-pandemic baselines into late 2024 (e.g., +15–16% versus 2018/2019 comps), suggesting the channel’s strategy of adding novel, prepared, and functional items is resonating with shoppers. While Placer doesn’t isolate THC beverages as the sole driver, its research shows retailers that broaden unique beverage/food offerings typically see higher dwell times and healthier visit trends—conditions in which THC seltzers can contribute incremental draw.
What this means for South Florida stores. Put together, the data suggests measured optimism:
- THC beverages are big enough nationally to merit shelf space and growing in absolute dollars.
- The category’s share is still small, so don’t expect a miracle traffic spike by itself. Pair it with destination merchandising (cold single-serve, mocktail programming, social content) for best results.
- In high-tourism, nightlife-dense Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Palm Beach, the occasion fit (beach days, alcohol-free nights out) is strong—especially in alt-bar and specialty beverage formats already seeing momentum.
Compliance Snapshot: What Florida Retailers Must Know
Florida has actively tightened hemp retail rules in 2025 to address youth access and unlabeled intoxicants—without banning compliant beverages statewide.
- A licensing framework and restrictions on street/festival sales were highlighted in local reporting around HB 1597, alongside zoning limits near schools/daycares and youth-access controls (e.g., placement behind counters/locked cases in stores with under-21 shoppers). Expect 21+ gating, age checks, and display constraints for THC drinks.
- Legal blogs and regulatory updates note enforcement actions (fines, product seizure, license suspension) under Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services rules, including Rule 5K-4.034 (Mar. 12, 2025 update) and SB 1676 implementation. This is a strong nudge to verify COAs, serving sizes, and packaging claims.
- In 2024, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed an attempt to impose sweeping hemp restrictions (SB 1698), which preserved space for compliant hemp beverages to be sold in regular retail while the legislature reworked proposals. READ MORE: Politico
Bottom line for shops: Carry only clearly labeled products with third-party COAs, age-gate purchases, and keep displays compliant (locked or behind-counter where required). Train staff to answer dose questions (2–10 mg per serving, onset times) and remind consumers not to drive impaired.
Merchandising Tips That Match the Data
- Lead with “occasion” and education. Cold cans near mocktail mixers, citrus, and NA beer help consumers understand when/how to use THC beverages. Placer.ai’s findings on prepared/unique items align with occasion-based merchandising that lifts dwell time.
- Right-size your set. Start with 3–6 SKUs across strengths (e.g., 2.5 mg “social,” 5 mg “standard,” 10 mg “night-in”) and two flavor profiles (citrus + berry), then expand based on sell-through. The category’s small share argues for curated depth, not breadth.
- Bundle and cross-sell. Pair single cans with NA cocktail kits, CBD adaptogen shots, or functional snacks to capitalize on basket building—a tactic mainstream cannabis retailers use to grow total rings. READ MORE ABOUT: MJBizDaily
- Train on onboarding language. South Florida includes many first-time THC beverage buyers. Train staff on onset (10–30 minutes) and “start low, sip slow” guidance, and reinforce no alcohol mixing for cautious, positive first experiences.
For Shoppers: Where to Start
- Look for well-known national brands offering hemp versions in Florida (check store locators or local stockists): WYNK, High Rise, Cann, among others.
- If you prefer a big-box experience, check store-by-store availability of hemp THC options like Select Zero Proof on mainstream retailer sites (availability varies).
- If you’re a medical patient, you can shop dispensary beverages via Florida-licensed MMTCs under your physician-ordered route of administration—see OMMU resources for rules and eligibility. READ MORE ABOUT: Medical Marijuana Use Florida
The Takeaway
South Florida retailers are embracing hemp-derived THC beverages as part of a broader functional-beverage wave. The national sales base is now over $1B, and specialty/alt-bar venues in Miami and Fort Lauderdale are building real culture around alcohol-free social occasions. Still, category share remains small, so the smart play is disciplined assortment, strong compliance, and occasion-led merchandising. Do that well and the payoffs are incremental traffic, longer dwell, and bigger baskets—not a silver bullet, but a credible edge in a competitive South Florida drinks market. READ MORE ABOUT: Cannabis Business Times, Visit Florida Dispensaries
Regulations change frequently. Retailers should confirm current rules with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and consult counsel before launching or expanding THC beverage sets.