Welcome Note

Welcome back Gardeners!

It’s been a crazy week in the studio, both for the full time job and for the podcast! So many great conversations are coming your way in the coming weeks! I am so excited to bring those conversations to you!

In sadder news, it’s been a tough few days for the Texas hemp community. The news out of Austin has left many feeling frustrated and disappointed. It’s important to remember: this isn’t the end of the road. We’ve faced setbacks before, and every time we’ve come back stronger.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a breath. Step outside, enjoy a moment with your favorite hemp beverage, and know you’re not alone in this. The work we’re doing together matters, and despite the challenges, the momentum we’ve built in the industry keeps moving forward.

We’re watching closely, staying connected, and committed to supporting every step of the journey ahead. Thanks for being part of this community and for all the fantastic work you do.

Additionally, if you want to read more reviews on the consumer side of things, I have been rolling out a series of brand reviews over on the subreddit I moderate with Chris Fontes. So subscribe over on Reddit and follow along there!

The Free Spirits Podcast with David Gonzalez and myself is going strong and Episode 7 dropped on Monday with Adam Ruhland, Founder, Wild State Cidery & Birdie.

If you could take the time to drop a review of the podcast or even just share it with a friend or two, it really does help us grow and continue to bring you this show. We have seen that our audience may be small for the podcast but you’re sticking around and listening to over 66% of each episode! So truly, thank you so much for your support!

You can find us on Youtube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts!

I hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter

And as always, my email is open!

-Lars

Any comments or questions? Leave comment on this post or shoot me an email. Would love to hear from you!

News Round Up

• Texas House passes near-total ban on hemp-derived THC - The Texas House passed Senate Bill 3, effectively banning most hemp-derived THC products while allowing exceptions for research institutions. The bill returns to the Senate before being sent to the governor. This represents a major regulatory setback for the Texas hemp industry, with phase-out timelines yet to be finalized.

• Texas House passes near total ban on hemp-derived THC - Legislators in Texas approved a bill banning the sale and distribution of hemp-derived THC products, overturning previous legal allowances. The ban excludes academic and research uses. The move creates uncertainty for producers and retailers as the industry faces impending product phase-out.

• For THC beverages, it’s the wild, wild west - THC beverages operate in a fragmented regulatory environment with inconsistent labeling, dosage limits, and distribution rules varying by state. This lack of clarity complicates market growth and consumer confidence in cannabis-infused drinks.

• Wyld kicks off Summer 2025 with a splash, tapping into THC beverage demand with introduction of infused sparkling waters - Wyld announced the launch of THC-infused sparkling waters for Summer 2025, targeting consumers seeking approachable, low-dose cannabis beverages. The new product line highlights natural ingredients and user-friendly dosing.

• Texas House hemp THC ban vote map - This report presents a district-level map illustrating how Texas House members voted on the hemp THC ban bill. It reveals urban districts mostly supported the ban, while rural areas showed mixed opinions, highlighting the political divisions on hemp regulation.

• NJ local Whoopi Goldberg launching hemp THC drink at CMB Canna-Con - Whoopi Goldberg unveiled her hemp-derived THC beverage brand at the CMB Canna-Con, focusing on wellness and accessible cannabis consumption, reinforcing her commitment to medical cannabis advocacy.

• BevNET Live NYC on June 11-12: Cannabevs – The State of the Union - BevNET Live NYC will host discussions on the cannabis beverage sector’s current landscape, including regulatory challenges, market trends, and innovation. Industry leaders will share insights on scaling cannabis beverage brands amid complex legal frameworks.

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KELIA: The Cannabis Beverage Redefining Wellness for Women

From One Walk to a Whole Movement

For Sarah Patel, cannabis wasn’t just a product—it was personal. As a new mom managing anxiety and rediscovering herself post-pregnancy, she turned to a low-dose edible on a walk with her daughter and felt something shift. “It was really transformative,” she said. “My anxiety had gone down, and I felt more like myself again.”

That moment sparked the idea for KELIA, a line of non-carbonated, hemp-derived THC beverages created for health-conscious adults—especially women—seeking a functional, approachable alternative to alcohol. Since that day, Sarah’s journey has been about more than launching a brand. It’s about rewriting the story of cannabis through a wellness lens.

The Wellness-First Approach to Cannabis Beverages

While many cannabis beverages lean into recreational positioning, KELIA stands out by focusing on mental health, functional benefits, and controlled consumption.

“I’ve always used cannabis as a tool for mental wellness,” Sarah said. “You can consume a KELIA drink and still get up at 5 a.m. to work out. It’s not about escaping—it’s about feeling better.”

That philosophy informs every detail of the product—from dosage to delivery. Each KELIA beverage contains 5mg of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, nano-emulsified for faster onset and better control. “You can sip a little, feel it within 15 minutes, and decide if that’s the right amount for you,” Sarah said.

Why Non-Carbonated Matters

The decision to go flat wasn’t an afterthought—it was a strategic call.

“I didn’t see any non-carbonated THC drinks in the Massachusetts dispensaries,” Sarah explained. “And as a wellness brand, carbonation didn’t make sense. It’s filling, it limits how much you can drink, and once you open a carbonated can, you’re committed.”

KELIA’s still beverage format allows consumers to drink half and save the rest for later—without losing flavor or fizz. It also opens up creative consumption methods, from mocktail mixing to relaxed sipping throughout the night.

Functional Flavors, Not Just Fruit

KELIA’s flavors aren’t just unique—they’re purpose-driven. Each drink includes functional ingredients designed to support different wellness goals:

• Watermelon Coconut – Hydration with added electrolytes

• Pineapple Jalapeño – Immunity support with Vitamin C

• Grapefruit Ginger – Metabolism boost with natural prebiotics

Sarah’s inspiration came from sensory memory. “After that first walk, I kept tasting watermelon—but it wasn’t just watermelon. It was watermelon and coconut. That became our first flavor,” she said.

Each flavor combines Sarah’s personal taste with intentional formulation—hydrating, health-supporting ingredients layered with bold, adult flavor profiles designed to stand out from the lemon-lime norm.

A Founder’s Leap from Regulated to Hemp-Derived

KELIA started in Massachusetts’ regulated cannabis market, where dispensary limitations and strict vault storage requirements made growth difficult. “You could only store so much, and beverages weren’t the big moneymaker compared to flower,” Sarah said. “It became clear we couldn’t scale the way we wanted to.”

That’s when Sarah pivoted to the hemp-derived THC market, expanding her ability to sell online and in retail stores while keeping the same commitment to transparency and safety.

Now, KELIA ships DTC to eligible states and is available in Louisiana stores, with new placements coming in Atlanta and South Carolina. “We’re still self-funded, still operating from home, and still 100% focused on quality and education,” Sarah emphasized.

When Education Meets Regulation

One of Sarah’s biggest hurdles? Cannabis regulations that don’t match product realities. Early KELIA formulas included minor cannabinoids like THCV and CBG—known for energy and focus—but shifting rules forced her to reformulate.

“THCV is non-psychoactive, but some states couldn’t wrap their heads around it,” she said. “They treated it like Delta-9 and banned it outright.”

Rather than fight each state individually, KELIA pulled the cannabinoid to keep scaling—but the commitment to education hasn’t stopped. “People don’t understand that hemp-derived THC is chemically identical to regulated THC. It’s the same molecule,” Sarah noted. “There’s a huge need for clear, accessible information.”

That’s one reason Sarah values being part of the Hemp Beverage Alliance, a national network of operators sharing regulatory updates, lobbying for smart legislation, and pushing back against misinformation.

Not Every Drink Is Meant to Get You High

In an industry where 100mg gummies still dominate Reddit threads and Redditors scoff at low-dose drinks, Sarah holds firm: KELIA isn’t for everyone—and that’s the point.

“This isn’t about getting wrecked. It’s about relaxing. About replacing wine. About unwinding without a hangover,” she said. “If you want 500mg in a single product, our drinks probably aren’t for you. But if you want to feel better without going to the moon, we’ve got you.”

A Business Built by Belief

Sarah doesn’t have a background in CPG, cannabis, or venture funding. But she’s built KELIA from the ground up anyway—with help from her husband, her friends in cannabis marketing, and an unshakeable belief in her product.

“I don’t have a business degree. I don’t have investors. But I believe in cannabis. I believe in wellness. And I believe in this brand,” she said. That belief shows in everything—from the branding to the sourcing to the intentional design behind every KELIA can.

Where to Buy & How to Support

KELIA is available online at keliadrink.com, where you can check state availability and explore all three functional flavors.

You can also follow and support the brand at @keliadrink on Instagram, tag them in your favorite infused moments, or ask your local liquor store to stock the product.

Sarah’s parting words? “Support us the way you’d support any small, women-owned business. We’re grateful for every customer, every tag, every message.”

Final Thoughts

KELIA isn’t chasing trends or trying to be the loudest in the room. It’s quietly reshaping how we think about cannabis, wellness, and adult beverages—especially for women seeking balance.

In a space still dominated by recreational narratives and high-dose products, Sarah Patel’s story reminds us of what cannabis can be: thoughtful, functional, and genuinely better-for-you.